Today has been declared the Eid-el-Fitr day following the sighting of the moon in various cities across the country after 29 days of fasting by Muslims across the world.
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III announced this last night. He said the moon was sighted in Maiduguri, Katsina, Zaria, Dutse, Funtua, Barma and Birnin-Gwari.
Consequently, leaders across the country have enjoined Islamic faithful to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and allow such to rule in their lives.
The leaders preached tolerance, honesty, and compassion among Muslims, particularly, Nigerians. They said it is only by demonstrating these virtues that the month-long fasting, climaxing in the Sallah celebrations, would have meaning in the lives of the people.
Eid-el-Fitr is the high point of a month of sustained religious obligation during the month of Ramadan in which all Muslims engage in fasting and solemn worship and abstain from acts that offend God.
In Benin City, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, enjoined political, business, and religious leaders in Nigeria to care for the people and justify the burden Allah has placed on them.
“We have to sustain the lesson of Ramadan, especially, goodwill to all, charity, inter-faith harmony, and obedience to Allah’s injunctions,” he said.
Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma of Nasarawa State called on Muslims to be obedient to God and rekindle service to Him and mankind. In a statement in Lafia, the state capital, the governor called on the faithful to see the Sallah celebrations as an occasion to show understanding and accommodation, which are needed to sustain corporate security, social harmony, and prosperity in the state.
Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State said, in a statement in Ilorin, that Muslims must let the virtues of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and devotion to spiritual injunctions guide their relationships with God and fellow men. He stressed that without these, the 30 days of self-denial by the faithful during the month of Ramadan would be a futile exercise.
According to the governor, “The period of Ramadan has led to crime reduction, parents sharing more time with their children and wards, the wealthy individuals, privileged ones and the needy in the society fraternising in the spirit of oneness and love, with commerce being galvanised as shopping for sundry items increased during the period.
In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, advocated greater unity among Muslims. Lawal, who addressed Islamic groups and Alfas, including NASFAT, QUAREB, ISBON, and Vanguard, during the Iftar session at Government House, said it was imperative for Muslims to engage in career and educative programmes that would boost their positioning in government and politics.
In his goodwill message to Muslims in the state, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, urged them “to have faith in Allah through believing in Him to guide your path in the entrenchment of your love for fellow mortals, assisting in the development efforts of government, and sharing love and happiness to the underprivileged ones in society, not only during this season, but at all times.
In a message to the Muslim Umma, in Jos, to mark the Eid-el-Fitr, Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang pointed out that in a world of increasing moral bankruptcy, belief in God must be accompanied by a practical expression of the virtues and values contained in the scriptures. He said religious practice demands much sacrifice and urged adherents to rise to the challenge.
Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, enjoined Muslims to apply the same passion they devote to their faith to the task of nation building.
In his message, Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State said, “All lovers of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW) must continue to live with the lessons of the Ramadan.”
Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State called on Muslims and Nigerians, generally, to let peace, which is the essence of Islam, reflect in their dealings after the Ramadan period.
On his part, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representa-tives, Usman Bayero Nafada, said, “Ramadan encourages piety, faith in God, love for one another, discipline and self restraint.”
Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said in his Sallah message that Nigerians and politicians should use the lessons of Ramadan to reposition the country.
In their own Eid-el-Fitr message, National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) urged Muslims to maximise the gains of Ramadan. A statement yesterday in Abeokuta, signed by NACOMYO Secretary-General, Alhaji Kamaldin Akintunde, said if the faithful imbibed the virtues of honesty, patience, kindness, and generosity, Nigeria would be a better society.
Sep202009