Leadership (Abuja)
30 September 2008
Muslim and political leaders have appealed to Nigerians to use the Sallah period to reflect on the socio-political, economic and religious affairs of the country.
President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday urged Nigerians to let their actions match their prayers. "As we conclude the Ramadan and celebrate the Sallah, we must take actions that match our prayers. Today is a day of reflection on our attitudes, our contributions to nation-building and to humanity," he said at the State House when FCT Minister Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar led a delegation of Abuja residents to pay the traditional Sallah homage to him.
The President called on Nigerians "to be sincere in all we do," adding that "if we want a good nation, we must be sincere, honest and uphold trust bestowed on us in all we do."
He thanked God Almighty for enabling a successful completion of the Ramadan, which, like Lent for the Christians, was a time when intensive devotion and purity was required, and challenged all Nigerians to fear God and let their conduct conform to God's instructions.
Prominent in the delegation were Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Justice of Nigeria Idris Kutigi, ministers, Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro, Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Abdurahman Dambazau, and members of the diplomatic corps. The Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, opened and closed the visit with prayers.
For his part, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, yesterday admonished Muslims in the country to imbibe the culture of brotherhood, love for one another as well as pray for the prevalence of peace and stability of the nation.
Sultan Sa'ad, in a message passed in his palace to the Ummah, marking the Sallah celebration, noted the Ummah has consolidated its activities with remarkable development in the promotion of Islam and inter-religious harmony in the country within the year.
However, the royal father lamented the actions of some detractors who, he said, were striving to cause disunity and hatred among the Muslim community across the country, saying he and the Ummah would not relent towards promoting the needed peace in the country.
The Sultan also announced that the Sultanate Council in collaboration with the state ministry of religious affairs would organise a workshop for Imams and preachers with a view to educating them on the rudiments of preaching and related religious activities, with a view to promoting fairness and peace in the society. The monarch assured that the Sultanate Council would also organise a dialogue among Islamic schools of thought and various sects to iron out different views that will enhance proper understanding rather than create division among the Muslim Ummah. According to him, this would no doubt go a long way in curtailing the problem of criticisms among Islamic preachers during preaching sessions.
He acknowledged the efforts of preachers and sponsors of Tafsir in media organisations throughout the Ramadan fast and reminded them of the need to be law-abiding and respect their leader.
From Kwara State, Governor Bukola Saraki has charged the people of the state to shun all forms of social vices capable of destroying peaceful co-existence. In his Eid-el-Fitri message, Saraki said the personal sacrifice and self-denial that the month-long fasting entails would be an effort in futility unless Muslims dedicate themselves to the teachings and Hadiths of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has also urged the Muslim Ummah in the country to emulate the good teachings of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). The governor made the remarks in his Eld El Fitr message to the poeple of the state where he called on the Muslim faithful to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet and make sacrifices for the benefit of the less-privileged in the society.
Similarly, Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma of Nasarawa State urged Muslims the world over to carry on with the good teachings of Islam both during and after Ramadan and Sallah period. The governor made the call in a special Sallah message to the people of the state. Doma enjoined Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and love as taught by the holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during and after Ramadan and Sallah period.
In his goodwill message to the people of Yobe State during yesterday's Sallah celebration, Governor Mamman B. Ali stated that the state government is to accord greater priority to the provision of healthcare delivery services, agriculture and education. The government, he continued, will focus more attention on the provision of potable water, rural electrification and creation of jobs in the state. He urged everyone to render support and cooperation in the development of the state. "The task in our quest for more meaningful development and pursuit of societal progress can only be achieved in an atmosphere devoid of hatred and social conflicts. We must not allow minor things that tend to divide us go out of proportion as this might endanger peace and threaten the basic cohesion and unity of Yobe State," the governor stated.
Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sherif, also congratulated all Muslims on the successful end of the holy month of Ramadan fast. He hoped that the lessons learnt from the month would be a spiritual guide to Muslims throughout their lives. The governor prayed for the safe return of all pilgrims from the holy land after the performance of the Umra.
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