Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar leads Nigerian Muslims as Eid-el-Fitr celebrated on Monday

*Advises nation’s politicians in Sallah message

By KEMI KASUMU

Following Saturday’s announcement of negative report of Moonsighting all over Nigeria thereby necessitating this year’s Ramadan fasting to complete 30 on Sunday May 1, 2022, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, led as several millions other Muslims followed as they celebrated Eid-El-Fitr on Monday May 2 equivalent to Shawwal 1, 1443AH.

While the Sultan, Governor of Sokoto State and several other dignitaries from across sectors prayed at the Sokoto Central Eid Ground in the metropolis, other Muslim faithful did at their various locations across the country.

Leader of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari led his family and several government officials to pray in Abuja after which he received people on Sallah homage to the state House.

The Nigerian Muslims were joining their counterparts around the world, in the Eid-El-Fitr that appears to be most uniform from the Asia to the West and Africa to Australia, to mark the end of the all-important Islamic festival, signalling the end of the fasting Holy Month of Ramadan for this year of 1443AH equivalent to 2022.

Although faithful are expected to feel uncomfortable that the of mercy is departing for the year, Eid-El-Fitr, which has been translated to mean the “festival of breaking the fast”, naturally comes with celebrations, depending on the sighting of the moon.

The DEFENDER reports that fireworks sounded in some societies, including Palestine this year, to herald the celebrations not for show of insensitivity but for the fact of the celebration, which came with a difference this year from those of 2020 and 2021 which were celebrated lowkey amid lockdown as prevent measures to fight the spread of Coronavirus pandemic globally.

But the understanding shown by Muslim leadership, the fact that Eid-El-Fitr with workers’ day this year and Federal Government inability to separate between holiday for Muslims’ festival and labour’s day commemoration had led to some discomfort at several quarters within the Ummah.

Those who complained believed that it was not proper to lump labour’s holiday with such an all-important festival knowing that their Christian part would want to collapse the skies of country if it were their own holiday that was that treated. They however called the attention of Federal Government to the “indefensible act” as Muslims will not take a repeat of it next time.

Aside this, the Sallah generally was celebrated amidst expressions of happiness, regardless of current situation of the country, hope and warnings to citizens especially leaders to play their roles in fulfilment of their individual duties towards Nigeria and stop doing things, which weaken security, peace and development of the country.

While declaring the public holidays on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated all Muslims across the country for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

He, however, called on them to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice, and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

“The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice, and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper,” the minister had said in a statement on Thursday last week.

He expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country would soon be a thing of the past, noting that the government was putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all round.

Aregbesola also assured Nigerians that the administration of President Buhari was fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners alike.

He commended all security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against criminals across the country and the peace that has returned to the formerly embattled places.

The minister urged Nigerians to be part of the nation’s security architecture by being vigilant and reporting suspicious individuals and activities to law enforcement agencies nearest to them, noting that security was everybody’s responsibility.

He wished all Muslims a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration and prayed that the peace, blessings, and favours of Allah be with them.

Sultan to Nigerian politicians

In the meantime, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, urged Nigerian politicians to allow peace to reign in the country.

He made the call, repeatedly, in his Eid-el-fitr Sallah message to Nigerians at the Durbar held at the palace arcade, while receiving, separately, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal accompanied by his Deputy and Walin Sokoto, Hon. Manir Muhammadu Dan’Iya, and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who had come to pay him a Sallah homage in Sokoto on Monday.

According to the Sultan, politicians in the country should play the game of politics with faith, love to one another and ensure none of their supporters was involved in breaching the peace and unity of Nigeria.

“We are fully aware that the general elections in Nigeria is fast approaching.

“Therefore, we urge Nigerians to live peacefully with one another and ensure the belief that whoever emerged after the election period is not only our choice but the choice of the Almighty Allah,” the Sultan, who spoke in Hausa but for the part receiving Governor Fayemi, said.

The Sariki Musulumi of Nigeria also urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to appreciate the Almighty Allah for the gift of life to witness the month of Ramadan.

“Our scholars have preached a lot during the period of Ramadan, as such, we should continue to hold on to what was learnt during the period.

“This is a great opportunity for all of us to ensure the best living condition and to live peacefully with one another,” he added.

The DEFENDER recalls that at the beginning of the just concluded Ramadan fasting the Sultan had called on wealthy Nigerians to help the needies while urging market people to desist from hiking prices of food and other items as doing so would cause hardship for fellow citizens especially in the fasting period.

Sultan Abubakar, further, appreciated the Sokoto State Government and other wealthy individuals across the country for their sustained support to the needy throughout the period of Ramadan.

He felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, while urging Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and peaceful coexistence across the country.