Eid- el- Fitri: Buhari, other leaders call for unity, prayers
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, have called on Nigerians to pray for the nation to overcome the myriad of problems facing it. In their separate messages yesterday to celebrate Eid- el- Fitri, marking the end of Ramadan fasting, the two leaders said this is the best time for Nigerians to remember the country in prayers for it to remain as one indivisible country.
In a goodwill message contained in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, the President urged all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of today to pray against all forms of insecurity that is currently bedeviling the country. He also called for continued observation of the COVID- 19 prevention protocols while urging citizens not to be carried away with celebrations.
He said: “Unity and solidarity among all citizens, Muslims and Christians, are imperative, especially at a time when our country is faced with multiple challenges, which are surmountable only when we come together as one. We should jointly pray against the tragic incidents of kidnapping and banditry and the desperate quest for political power expressed through blackmail against the existence of our country as a united entity.” According to the President, it is noteworthy and delightful to see Christians breaking fast and in some
instances, extending goodwill and gifts to Muslim faithful during the Ramadan. “This model also shone through with Muslim groups joining Christian festivities. These are practices that promote brotherhood and forgiveness,” he said. On his part, the Senate President, Lawan, felicitated with the Muslim faithful on the completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, saying: “Every true Muslim feels joy at participating in the Ramadan fast, which is a key obligation in Islam. May Almighty Allah therefore reward us for the spiritual voyage and grant our earnest wishes for ourselves, families and dear country.”
According to him, due to the current security and economic challenges, Nigeria needs the prayers of every patriot now more than ever before to achieve the peace, unity and progress that were the dreams of the founding fathers.
A LSO calling for prayers and unity were former vice president, Atiku
Abubakar, immediate past Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, national leader of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Bola Tinubu, and a presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Gbenga Olawepo- Hashim.
Atiku, in a statement he personally signed, said this year’s Eid- el- Fitri was coming at a time Nigeria is going through a challenging moment concerning the security of life and property and when a large number of people are hard hit by the ravaging scourge of poverty.
“As Muslims, we need to remind ourselves of our obligation to ensuring peace and unity within our family and in our neighbourhood at all times. Today, across Nigeria, there is a scary and growing tendency to mistrust along ethnic and religious lines. As Muslims, we know from both the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Noble Prophet Muhammed ( SAW) that no tribe or race is superior to another, except the one that seeks piety to the Almighty Allah.
“We do not attain piety through hate or blood- letting. We attain piety through forbearance and by sharing love. That is the message that we must give some reflection as we celebrate Eid today,” the former VP said. On his part, congratulating Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the occasion of Eid- el- Fitri, Saraki advised Nigerians to continue with their closeness to Almighty Allah and their prayers for His intervention in the affairs of the country, even after the obligatory fasting period.
In a statement signed by his special adviser and head of his media office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said: “The current situation in our country requires sincere change of mindset by all Nigerians. We should use this post- Ramadan period and the lessons we learnt from the fasting period to steer clear of any action, which does not bode well for our country. This is a period when we all need to pray to Allah to once again pull the country back from the precipice.
“With the level of insecurity and economic crisis, which have combined to worsen the rate of poverty in the country, all Nigerians must unite and demonstrate patriotism that will help our country overcome the present challenges.
“I commend our security agencies at the frontline and pray that Almighty God will protect and give them victory over the insurgents and other non- state actors inflicting violence on our country. May Allah heal our land of any form of affliction.”
Saraki noted that Ramadan does not just symbolise having a positive attitude during the fasting period but represents a total change towards becoming good citizens who comply with the law and demonstrate patriotism at all times.
“We should refrain from returning to our old habits and become responsible citizens who pray for the country at all times and play our roles in the quest to entrench the fear of God, discipline, unity, development, equity, justice and inclusiveness in the polity.”