Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, has felicitated Muslim faithful across the state, Nigeria and the world at large over this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration commemorating Abraham’s sacrifices to God.
Mbah, who called on both the Muslim Ummah and other Nigerians to make uncommon sacrifices for the development of the country, further urged them to sustain the spirit of the Sallah celebration which encapsulates peace, love, unity, progress, neighborliness, development and nation-building, even as he promised that his administration would run governance of inclusiveness, encourage religious harmony and forge a common front for the wellness of the society.
In a statement issued yesterday by the senior special assistant to the governor on mainstream media, Dan Nwomeh, the governor said the peace and security of the citizens irrespective of their religious leaning would be his administration’s priority.
He stressed that the Muslim Ummah, and indeed all Nigerians, should learn some good lessons from the sacrifice made by Abraham by being their neighbours’ keepers, adding that Christians, Muslims and others have been co-existing harmoniously in the state, which his administration would continue to consolidate.
“Let me thank the Almighty Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, for this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration by our Muslim brothers and sisters in Enugu State, Nigeria and the world at large.
“This year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration has ushered in peace, unity and progress symbolizing the beginning of a new journey of greatness in the annals of our state and country. It has its spiritual significance which all Muslim Ummah must not abandon in the course of this celebration. The Sallah celebration has taught us unconditional sacrifices for our family, neighbours, and our society. It has taught us that peace costs nothing but remains priceless. It has given clues on how to live in harmony with people around us.
“Our dear Enugu State, unarguably, remains the most peaceful state in terms of religious tolerance and freedom of worship. We intend to build on this strong pillar of peace in our administration to ensure religious inclusiveness across the board.
Meanwhile, a former governor of Ekiti State and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr.Kayode Fayemi, has extended his felicitations to Nigerian Muslims at the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Fayemi said the Eid-el-Kabir festival is a celebration of the virtues of sacrifice, love, and submission to the will of God. He enjoined Muslims to use the occasion to promote peace and unity in their communities and spheres of influence.
In a statement issued by his media office yesterday, Fayemi urged them to continue praying for the peace and prosperity of Nigeria, especially for the new government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Fayemi said, ‘’At this point, more than at any other time in our country’s history, we require the collaborative efforts of all Nigerians working together to overcome our serious challenges of development.
‘’It is my hope and prayers that our Muslim brothers and sisters, in the spirit of the Salah celebrations, will work across faith and community lines to help our country achieve the goals of peace, unity, and other developmental targets.’’
He urged the Muslim Ummah to be moderate in their celebrations and not forget the true significance and lessons of the festival, which revolve around self-sacrifice, love, and submitting to the will of God.
“And these lessons learned during the Eid-el-Kabir should extend beyond the festival and apply to our lives daily as we embody the values of sacrifice, love, and peace,” he emphasised.
Eid-el-Kabir: Keep faith in nationhood, Bamanga Tukur urges Nigerians
Elder statesman and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former national chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, has felicitated with Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, urging them to keep faith in the great future of the country.
Tukur, in a statement by his media adviser Chief Oliver Okpala urged Nigerians in general and Muslim faiths in particular to use this season to pray for the unity, peace and progress of the country.
In his Sallah message, the nationalist urged Nigerians to recommit themselves to the ideals of nationhood and pray for the success and unity of the country.
While also calling for prayers for all elected and appointed leaders across the country, Dr. Tukur urged Nigerians to shun all acts and comments capable of destabilizing the nation.
“We have just come out from a very keenly contested election across the country, first of its kind that we had a three horse race and not the usual two-horse race we normally have.
“History must have been recorded, to those who did not make it this time. I charge everyone to close ranks for us to build a strong nation together.
“I am a firm and unrepentant believer in the Nigerian dream, the signs are clear that the nation, will not only survive but be a super power. Let us keep faith in our father land, no matter the party or individuals that is in power now. Nigeria must be great” Dr. Tukur emphasized.
“Eid-el-Kabir is a time to reflect on things that have spiritual value, a time to reflect on our service to God and humanity.”
May we never falter or stray from the teachings of the holy prophet(PBUH), concerning our lives and our country”.
Eid-el-Kabir turns carnival, unifies Nigerians on Lagos Island
The observance of Eid-el-Kabir on Wednesday turned into a carnival and a unification event for residents on Lagos Island.
The Muslim community’s yearly ritual of ram slaughtering was marked with much fanfare among Islanders amid music entertainment, cooking, eating, and the popping of champagne.
The event, which began with prayers in mosques with a large overflow of worshippers occupying adjoining streets of worship centres, dovetailed into colourful canopies, where musicians took turns to entertain the people.
NAN reports that the event, which cascaded into a unification event for Nigerians of all faiths and ethnic groups, attracted Muslim and non-Muslim singers from other parts of the country.
At Tinubu’s Square Prayer Ground, the Muslim faithful showed love and unity to others by offering them food and drinks to mark the day.
The scenario was the same at Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, where two Muslim families served food and other materials to residents.
At the Nadwat-NAdwat Global Assembly Worship Centre on Igbosere Road, members of the sect played down faith doctrines and served food and drinks to all those who gathered under their tents.
A spokesperson of the group, Alhaja Soliu Aishat, said that the event was to promote the virtue of sacrifice exemplified by the Prophet Ibrahim.
At Obalende and Falomo, there were celebrations on the streets, as well as the slaughtering of cattle, with music filling the air.
Mr. Emeka Ikokwu, a guest at one of the celebrations, said he came with his family to felicitate his colleague, Mr. Fola Lawal.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Missioner of the Jejewiyyat Muslim Association of Nigeria, Prof. Adewale Paramole, said that it was meant to provide Nigerians with an avenue for reconciliation in the aftermath of the last tumultuous general elections.
The cleric, who spoke to NAN against the backdrop of calls for national cohesion, said that Islam was a human-oriented religion.
He stressed the need for the government to alleviate people’s sufferings through the provision of palliatives in the aftermath of the withdrawal of petrol subsidy.
NAN reports that the Federal Government declared Wednesday and Thursday public holidays to enable the Muslim faithful to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
The annual event commemorates the faith and trusts Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) had in God when the latter asked him to use his only son, Isaac, for sacrifice.
