Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitr across Nigeria Friday, as MURIC congratulates Sultan for good leadership
*CAN pledges collaboration with NSCIA over peaceful co-existence
*Methodist Church Prelate urges Muslims, Christians to unite for Nigeria’s greatness
*As MUSWEN’s chief scribe, Noibi, urges Muslims to be God-conscious
Members of the Nigerian Muslim Community, under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Friday, celebrated this year’s Eid-el-Fitri festival across the country.
On the homestead, President Muhammadu Buhari was joined by Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Monsur Dan-Alli (Rtd), Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Danbazau, and the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mallam Lawal Daura among others at Eid praying ground in Abuja.
As they gave thanks to Allah for the successful fasting period, they were admonished to practise the lessons of the month and abstain from deeds that violate divine injunctions.
“We should be good symbols and ambassadors of Islam at all times. I plead with us not to commit iniquities that we avoided in Ramadan in any other months.”
Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Ishaq Akintola, congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, and the entire citizenry.
He noted that Ramadan is the month of mercy, reminding President Muhammadu Buhari of the 54 soldiers imprisoned for refusing to fight Boko Haram with poor weapons.
“They were sentenced to life imprisonment before the sentence was commuted to 10 years imprisonment. MURIC sees the 54 soldiers as whistleblowers, not criminals, because they actually exposed the $2.1 billion arms fraud.
It is a sad paradox that while other whistleblowers are being rewarded, the 54 soldiers are languishing in jail. This is frustrating.
“In the spirit of the forgiveness and freedom, which Ramadan stands for, we appeal to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to, in exercise of the prerogative of mercy, grant presidential pardon to the 54 soldiers.”
Top government officials also sent goodwill messages. Senate President Bukola Saraki called for sustained prayers for peace in the country.
“We have just ended a month-long fast, paving way for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
We should, therefore, seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” he said, noting that in spite of challenges facing the nation, “hope is not lost.”
On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, called on Muslims to “replicate and demonstrate in your daily lives the lessons and virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, piety, self-denial and genuine love towards one another, which you learnt during the month-long fast.”
He added: “I urge you to take out opportunity, cashing on the spirituality of this festive period, to offer special prayers for the nation against the backdrop of the current security and economic situation.”
Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, enjoined Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful, to take advantage of the spiritual rebirth offered by Ramadan to promote love, peace, unity and progress.
His Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi, called for spiritual rebirth among the faithful and enjoined them to imbibe the teachings of Prophet Muhammed on the essence of Ramadan.
In a statement in Abuja, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Samson Ayokunle, said after a successful completion of the obligation, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, “We congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters.”
He expressed CAN’s determination to collaborate with the leadership of the SCIA to promote peaceful co-existence among adherents of the nation’s two major religions and work towards ensuring unity, peace and progress.
He hoped that the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council would become more effective in partnering the Federal Government to tackle the country’s challenges.
“Since Christianity and Islam preach unity, we earnestly pray that the Federal Government, through security agencies, will find means of resolving rampant killings by Boko Haram, criminal herdsmen and bandits,” he added.
While the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche, called on Muslims and Christians to unite and build a viable society every Nigerian would be proud of, the President General, Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, stressed the need for a just society, saying:
“When this is done, the problems we are facing will be reduced and Nigeria will begin to develop.”
The Executive Secretary/CEO Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof. Noibi Dawud, urged Muslims to be God-conscious and remember they will give account to God.
