Ebola: Sultan Cautions Muslims On Eating Bush Meat

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, on Tuesday cautioned the Muslim community against the consumption of monkey delicacies and bush meat to avoid contracting the dreaded Ebola virus.

The Sultan noted that since it was first confirmed medically that the disease was discovered in monkeys and fruit bats, it would be reasonable for Muslims to avoid such, including other bush meat.

A statement on behalf of the Sultan by the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI’s Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, in Kaduna on Tuesday said, “As confirmed by medical experts, the disease was first discovered in monkeys and contacted by those who eat monkeys and other sources of bush meat. Alas, in Islam eating of monkeys had already been discouraged (Makruh), according to many scholars of Islamic jurisprudence.

“Thus, we should continue to uphold this verdict as it also serves as a preventative measure”.

He also urged Muslims to follow all health tips for the prevention of the disease seriously, noting that the culture of personal hygiene as well as proper sanitation, must always be emphasised

The Sultan said Islam is a religion of cleanliness, adding that as reported in a sound Hadith, “Cleanliness is half of faith”.

“Nigeria has now joined the league of West African nations with the deadly Ebola outbreak. Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia were reported as taking the lead. The Nigeria Ebola case was first reported with the arrival of a Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, with the disease in Lagos and subsequently died at a Lagos hospital”, the statement added.

The Sultan listed the symptoms of the disease to include fever, sore throat, muscle pains, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe internal and external bleeding, at the advanced stages of the disease.

He also advocated prompt medical attention for the sick.