The Chief Imam of Somanya, Imam Garba Hamza, has urged the Zongo community to prioritise sanitation by keeping their surroundings clean and avoiding practices that endanger public health.

Delivering a sermon during Friday Juma prayers, Imam Hamza reminded worshippers that “Islam is a religion rooted in peace and cleanliness.” He said Muslims were expected to uphold these values not only in their personal lives but also within their communities.

He cautioned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters, describing the act as both un-Islamic and dangerous. Choked drains, he explained, blocked the free flow of rainwater and often resulted in floods and other disasters that brought hardship to residents.

“Cleanliness carries blessings from Allah,” he said. “But when we ignore it and engage in unhealthy practices, Allah will not be pleased with us. Dumping waste in gutters is not only harmful to the environment but also a sin before Allah.”

The Imam urged the Zongo community to serve as an example of cleanliness to people of other faiths, stressing that proper sanitation reflected the true values of Islam. He added that maintaining clean surroundings also helped prevent the spread of diseases such as cholera and malaria, which thrived in unsanitary conditions.

He called on households to take responsibility for their environment by desisting from littering and actively participating in clean-up activities.

The Chief Imam’s appeal comes amid growing concerns over poor sanitation in some communities, where improper waste disposal and clogged drains continue to pose serious public health risks.