Photo Credit: ABDHELHAL BALHAKI / Reuters
The Sultan of Sokoto-led group, Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has commiserated with the people and Kingdom of Morocco over the earthquake that ravaged some parts of the country.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that the death toll from the devastating earthquake had risen to 2,497, as search and rescue efforts continued.
Another 2,476 people were injured, the interior ministry said on Monday, updating a previous death toll of 2,122 and 2,400 wounded.
The United Nations has estimated that 300,000 people were affected by Friday night's magnitude 6.8 quake, made more dangerous by its relatively shallow depth.
Commiserating with the people of Morocco, JNI in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Secretary General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, called on the international community to boost rescue and humanitarian efforts in the country.
JNI also called for prayers for the country, expressing regret that the world has indeed witnessed yet another frightening earthquake in Morocco, a few months after the Syrian and Turkish experience.
"From the emerging information, the Moroccan earthquake could be one of the world's most terrifying episodes that must have occurred in recent history," it said.
The Islamic organisation also appealed to Nigerians who desire to support the victims of the earthquake, to kindly do so through the Moroccan Embassy in Nigeria, located at no. 39, Lake Chad Street, Maitama, Abuja or Plot 1318, Karimu Kotun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
It said, "Nevertheless, the unfortunate tremor echoes Allah's message to man, wherein He says in Qur'an 99, verses 1-5 that ‘When the earth is shaken with its (final) earthquake. And when the earth throws out its burdens. And man will say: "What is the matter with it?’ That Day it will declare its information (about all what happened over it of good or evil).
"Because your Lord has inspired it. From the forgoing verses, Allah has preempted man that earthquake throws out its burdens and man will be in a state of despair when it happens, as we now see happening in Morocco. Isn't it time for man to take heed and look inwards by retracting from misdoings and be of good to Allah, as well as to the society and humanity in general, before the final and earthquake?
"Indeed we are, but only created beings of Allah, the Most High and within the twinkle of an eye, events could change, just as we are now witnessing in Morocco. The quake is more or less a confirmation, as well as a similitude of what Allah says in Q22:1-2 that "O mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgement) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursing and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah." The unfolding events in Morocco testify that happenstance like earthquake are distressing experience, just as it will be on the Judgement Day.
"Muslims are nonetheless implored to fervently include the people of Morocco in daily supplications for fast healing process and recovery, as well as better well-being thereafter. The call has become imperative owing to the fact that Morocco has for many years past been a dependable ally to Nigeria and Nigerians.
"In fact, the agricultural transformation of Nigerian government was supported substantially by the Kingdom of Morocco, particularly that the Moroccan state-owned phosphate giant OCP was to construct a fertilizer plant in Nigeria, just as there was the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, aimed at exporting energy resources to Europe.
"We pray to Allah, the Most High, to pardon and forgive all those who have lost their lives and may they all be counted amongst the martyrs, all the injured be granted quick recoveries and for those who have lost valuables may they be recompensed in the best way. Amin."