*Urges increased devotion as it harges govt on sincerity
*Tasks Muslims, Christians as Ramadan fasting, Lenten coincide this year
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has enjoined adherents of Islamic faithful in Nigeria to remain steadfast, increase their devotion and embrace good deeds in order to maximise the gains of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan.
This was as the Council charged citizens against being provoked to taking any action or making any utterance in the face of the current economic realities, which will be capable of vitiating their good work during the month.
The Council spoke via a statement issued in Abeokuta, the state capital, by its Secretary General, Alhaji Kamal Akintunde Esq, and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Wednesday.
It advised Muslims not to take the law into their hands and avoid any temptation under the guise of protesting the present economic challenges as they have direct bearing on their living system.
It noted that with patience, understanding, perseverance, sacrifice,patriotic attitude and government sincerity and ingenuity, Nigerians will overcome the prevailing hardship occasioned by the depressed economy.
These were contained in a Releaae by Ogun State Muslim Council OMC in Abeokuta and signed by its Secretary-General, Alh Kamaldeen Akintunde.
OMC noted that “the season of Ramadan requires self restraint, obedience and discipline,urging the fasting Muslims and others to be Ramadan compliant by keeping to the ,”dos” and “donts” of the fasting season.
“Ramadan is a month of mercy,generosity, charity and benevolence,imploring the privileged and those who haves to assist the less privileged and those who have not by making edibles available at mosques and other fora during Ramadan.
“OMC advised food vendors and marketers against hiking food prices, while also charging them against ungodly behaviour such as food hoarding and adulteration for economic gains,” the statement said.
In the meantime, the Ogun State Muslim Council has noted the coinciding of Ramadan fasting and Christian Lenten season this year.
It described it as a good omen, urging followers of both faiths to pray fervently for the nation’s leaders and for the country to get out of the wood.
“Decrying the seemingly rival posture of the religious minded Nigerians, the Council implored them to eschew rivalry, charging preachers of both faith to incorporate love, tolerance, peace, harmonious living, religious understanding,good citizenship, inter-faith cooperation and collaboration in their sermons and the preaching of the Scriptures.
“It urged scholars and leaders to guide against inflammatory statements that can incite and ignite crisis. Nigeria is faced with myriad of challenges being tackled by the leadership at all fronts and, therefore, cannot tolerate an aggravation of the challenges,” the statement said.
