By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The prestigious group of allumni called the Allumni Association of National Institude (AANI), on Wednesday Muharram 1, 1445 A.H. equivalent to July 19, 2023, rose to the occasion of celebration with Muslims of Nigeria as they mark their New Islamic Year.
The DEFENDER reports that migration of Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the then persecutionist pagans’ city of Makkah to the more friendly and receptive city of Madinah is referred to as Hijrah in Arabic Language and it marked the beginning of Islamic Calendar Year counting for the Muslims.
The AANI in a statement dated Tuesday 18th July 2023 and signed by its National President, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, mni, and the titled, “CELEBRATING THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR 1445: A MESSAGE OF PEACE AND UNITY FROM AANI”, Muslim members and other fellow Nigerians, addressed in it, were called upon to come together and reflect upon the values of peace, unity and harmony as taught by Islam.
The statement, copied to The DEFENDER Wednesday morning, stated as follows:
“Dear Muslim Members and Fellow Nigerians,
“On behalf of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), I extend warm greetings and heartfelt wishes to all our Muslim brothers and sisters as we embark upon the blessed occasion of the Islamic Calendar 1445. May this new year bring abundant blessings, joy, and spiritual fulfilment to you and your loved ones.
“As we commemorate this significant milestone in the Islamic calendar, it is an opportune moment for us to reflect upon the values of peace, unity, and harmony that Islam teaches us.
“Islam, a religion of compassion and tolerance, inspires us to cultivate a spirit of goodwill, understanding, and respect for one another. It is time for us to renew our commitment to these timeless principles and to foster a society that is built upon mutual cooperation and coexistence.
“In the face of numerous challenges that our great nation, Nigeria, has encountered in recent times, it becomes even more crucial for us to unite as one people, regardless of our religious or ethnic backgrounds. We must come together, hand in hand, to promote peace, justice, and equality for all Nigerians. It is only through such unity that we can surmount the obstacles that lie before us and build a prosperous, inclusive, and harmonious nation that we can be proud to pass on to future generations.
“As members of the Alumni Association of the National Institute, we recognise the immense potential within us to effect positive change in our society. Therefore, let us harness these potentials and work tirelessly to promote dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation among all Nigerians.
“Together, we can foster an environment where every citizen feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to the nation’s development.
“During this auspicious period, I also implore all Muslim members of AANI, as well as every Nigerian, to embrace the spirit of peace and extend it to our daily interactions. Let us engage in acts of kindness, compassion, and empathy towards one another, irrespective of our differences. By doing so, we will create a ripple effect of harmony and understanding that will transform our communities and bring us closer to the Nigeria we envision.
“I wish you all and your family, a blessed year filled with love, happiness, and prosperity. May the Islamic Calendar 1445 be a time of reflection, spiritual growth, and renewed commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous nation,” it said.
