As Nigerians mark the feast of sacrifice, royal fathers and political heads have emphasised the need for selflessness and helping the needy in the society to foster peace and harmony.
The Emir of Kano, Malam Mohammad Sanusi, during his sermon after leading the Eid prayers at Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Jumu’at Mosque in Kofar Mata, Kano, emphasised the importance of following Prophet Muhammad’s teachings which emphasised helping the needy, especially during Eid-al-Adha celebrations.
He also urged the public to intensify prayers for peaceful co-existence in Kano State and the nation.
A NAN Correspondent in Kano observed that in spite of the economic challenges, many residents performed the Sallah sacrifices and dressed colourfuly, while security personnel were deployed to ensure peace and security.
Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger Council of Traditional Rulers urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s good virtues as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.
He said these lofty virtues include sacrifice, obedience and submissiveness to the will of Allah, in order to be successful in the worldly life and the hereafter.
In a Sallah message to the Muslim Ummah in his domain and Nigerians in general to mark the Eid-el-Adhah celebration at the Eid-el praying ground in Bida on Sunday, Abubakar said, “Today’s celebration is a commemoration of total submissiveness and obedience to the will of Allah, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail.
“It is also a lesson on the virtue of keeping our promises to Allah and to our fellow men.
“Prophet Ibrahim (AS) made a vow to sacrifice his son to Allah, and when it was time to fulfill the promise, he didn’t back out. That is a strong virtue worthy of emulation.
“It was in appreciation of that gesture that Allah converted what would have been a human sacrifice to that of a sheep.’’
The traditional ruler advised the Muslims to shun societal ills and to always endeavor to do good, for the betterment of all.
“Societal ills like bribery, corruption, drunkenness and gambling do not do any good to man, society, or the Muslim faithful, hence all believers are enjoined to avoid them,” Abubakar admonished.
He implored the Muslim Ummah in his domain and the country at large to reflect on the significance of the celebration, which bordered on encouraging piety, sacrifice and love, without which, according to him, no state or society could advance.
Abubakar appealed to the wealthy individuals in the country to assist the less- privileged to enable all and sundry to celebrate Eid-el- Kabir with a relative ease.
He said, “God has endowed wealth on people not for themselves and their immediate families, but for the benefit of entire society.
“The present socio-economic predicament that we are facing requires such assistance from well-to- do individuals in the country.”
Abubakar charged the Muslim faithful to pray to God to assist President Bola Tinubu, other elected and appointed leaders to overcome both the current economic meltdown and security challenges bedevilling the country.
The royal father also advised the people of his emirate to always monitor the movements of their children, to stem the habit of drug abuse that was rampant among the youths
“With fervent and ceaseless prayers by the adherents of the two major religions in the country, I am sure we will witness the peaceful conduct of general elections in the country,” he added.
Ebonyi Sate Governor, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi urged the Muslim Ummah to leverage the Sallah period and pray for the peace, progress, unity and development of the country.
Nwifuru, in his message to mark the Eid-el-Kabir, prayed for Allah’s blessings upon their lives and usher them into an era of prosperity.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Monday Uzor in a statement
“On behalf of the government and people of the state, we wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters happy Eid -el- Kabir.
“And may the blessings of Allah fill your lives with happiness and open all doors of success now and always,” he governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Monday Uzor in a statement
quoted Nwifuru as praying.
The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to carry all the segments of society along, irrespective of religion while expressing satisfaction over the contributions of the Muslim faithful in the state toward the realisation of his administration’s “People’s Charter of Needs Agenda”.
Nwifuru further assured that security arrangements had been perfected to ensure a hitch- free celebration.
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