Nigeria’s President, Sultan, Gov Ugwuanyi, others celebrate 1439AH Sallah with message of peace

*As Buhari treks 800 meters after Eid, acknowledges cheers

*Sultan Abubakar rides round town to cheers of subjects

*Celebrates with Sokoto people at mini Durbar

President Muhammadu Buhari and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Tuesday at their respective towns of Daura, Katsina and Sokoto, Sokoto states joined other Muslim faithful across the country and around the globe in observing the two raka’at of this year’s Eid-ul-Adha festival.

They did so just as the Governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a Christian, out of love and spirit of peaceful co-existence, also joined the Muslim community in the state at the Central Mosque, Owerri Road to celebrate the feast of all-important festival with his people who of other religion.

Synonymous to the three leaders, as they celebrated the Sallah in symbolic manner, was singular message of peace which they held fast to and delivered to their people.

President Buhari and Sultan Abubakar however added glamours to the celebrations in their respective country homes as one walked 800 meters and the other rode round town in motorcade to the cheerful glimpse of their people who eagerly trooped out of their homes to greet their leaders as they moved past.

Earlier in his sermon attended by President Buhari, the Chief Imam of Daura, Sheikh Safiyanu Dansanwai, who led the prayer, stressed the need for peace and called on the Muslim Ummah  to pray  for peace, harmony and development of the country.

In his after Eid event of mini Durbar at the Arcade of the Sultan’s Palace, the Sultan of Sokoto, who is Leader of over 90 Muslims of Nigeria, made the place of dialogue clear to the people as pivotal instruments for conflict resolution.

He said dialogue brings understanding and understanding bring good relationship which in a way translate to peaceful co-existence.

The Sultan particularly addressed the mindset of the Muslim Ummah, saying “All Muslims whether Toriqa, Izala, Shiites, Ansar-ud-Deen are the same.  Their ways may be different but being a Shiite, despite the views of Shiites about the family of the Prophet, does not take the being of Muslim away from him.  All of these people serve the same Allah,” he said in Hausa.

He also addressed mindset of politicians, telling them to stop fighting one another.  He said gathering youths for thuggery would not help any politician to succeed.  He said all of them should know that the bottomline of their politicking is to serve Nigeria and so they must not fight and that they must stop equipping the youths to fight for political gains.

Talking to the youths at the event, the Sultan warned them that on no account should they allow themselves by politicians to use them for their political gains.

The Sariki Musulumi said, “If a politician gives you money, drug, weapons to go and fight, ask him to make his own children or himself lead the fight and then that you will follow.”

This, the Sultan said, is important because, “If they give you money, drugs and weapons to go and fight you get killed, you will be forgotten forever and what becomes your fate with your Lord, therefore?” He warned the Nigerian youths.

Addressing the Durbar, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar prayed for more strength for leaders of the country “from President Muhammadu Buhari” to others at various levels down to the Local Governments and various communities.

He then urged other Nigerians to also engage in same prayers for the success of the leaders, and then retired into an inner chamber of the place where he received in audience the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, who stood in for Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in paying him Sallah homage.

In his speech during his attendance of Tuesday celebration, Governor Ugwuanyi also called for special prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other political leaders in the country.

The Enugu State governor, who was warmly received amid jubilation by Muslim faithful in the state, including the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Danmallam Mohammed, the State Director, Department of Security Services (DSS), and Sarkin Hausawa, Alhaji Abukakar Yusuf Sambo, among others, felicitated with them and also requested for a special prayer for Enugu State.

Ugwuanyi expressed happiness at the existing peace in the state, which he said was responsible for the security of lives and property in the state, adding that “this has brought development”.

He said: “As you celebrate in this season of sacrifice, may we all continue to see one another as brothers and sisters for the good of our dear state and our dear country Nigeria.”

The Muslims, who appreciated Ugwuanyi’s presence at the Mosque, also prayed for him and his government for the guidance, peace, protection and blessings of Allah.

They also commended the governor for the “marvelous work he is doing in the state” and reiterated their firm support for him in 2019 and beyond.

The federal government had declared today Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays to mark the Sallah celebrations. Already, the Sultan of Sokoto has urged all Muslims to reflect and use the rare opportunities and virtues of the Eid to invoke the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

Muslims around the world observe the Eid al-Adha, which literally means ‘Feast of Sacrifice’ as an Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (also known as Abraham) to follow Allah’s (God’s) command to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael).  After witnessing Ibrahim’s devotion and willingness to perform the sacrifice, Allah gave him a lamb to sacrifice in the stead of his son.