Immediate past Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has congratulated Muslims in the country over this year’s Eid-al-Adha celebration.
In a Sallah message sent to The DEFENDER on Thursday, she described the festival as demonstration of piety and great sacrifice to Allah, noting that it is special this year considering that it comes at a time the impact of Coronavirus hardship on every surviving human is seriously telling.
“I congratulate the Muslim world and Lagosians in particular for witnessing another Eid-il-Adha which is a demonstration of piety and great sacrifice to Allah. This year’s festival is special in all ramifications due to the ravaging Coronavirus that has claimed many lives.
“For those of us still living and healthy, it is not by our power or wisdom, rather by the mercy of Allah. We should therefore, not take that mercy for granted.
“Our duty is to continue to demonstrate responsibility even while modestly celebrating by adhering strictly to the preventive measures laid down by the Nigeria Council for Disease Control (NCDC), the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, and as well as the Lagos State Government.
“This year’s celebration will no doubt be low key, but this would not detract from the blessings and lessons therein. We should just continuously remind ourselves that moderation is a virtue in Islam.
“We owe ourselves, family members, loved ones and the society the duty of care to safeguard and protect one another. This can be achieved by maintaining proper hygiene, ensure appropriate social and physical distancing and use appropriate face masks if we must go.
“The world has lost so many precious lives to this pandemic; we can’t afford to see more deaths. Though, as Muslims, we believe that every soul will taste death but at its decreed time by Allah. Despite this, our religion still encourages us to jealously guard every soul because it is precious.
“We should not forget that Eid-ul-Adha period is a season of sacrifice, exchanging of gifts, expression of love and peace, and above all, be our brother’s keeper.
We should continue to preach peaceful co-existence and settle our differences amicably.
“These are the hallmark and lessons of this period as exemplified by our noble Prophet Muhammad (pboh).
We should pray for our country to be free from various evils bedeviling her which are not limited to the COVID-19, corruption, Boko Haram scourge, banditry, kidnappings and communal clashes.
“On behalf of my family, I felicitate with Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari and his team, our National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his cabinet members, the League of Imams and Alfas, the Ulamau and all Muslims on this joyous occasion.
“May we all celebrate more of it in good health and peaceful and prosperous environment.”
I pray our dear country continue to prosper and Lagos remains the shining example of a State that works for all.
