Muslims Celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, As Ramadan Fasting Ends
Muslims across the world, Friday, bid farewell to the sacred month of Ramadan, with the faithful gathering at prayer centres to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.
As they gave thanks to Allah for the successful fasting period, they were admonished to practise the lessons of the month and abstain from deeds that violate divine injunctions.
The Amir (president) of The Muslim Congress (TMC), Dr. Lukman AbdurRaheem, said: “As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect the outpouring of generosity towards one another, especially the less privileged among us.
The fight against corruption, bad governance, nepotism, mediocrity, examination malpractice, ethnic cum religious terrorism and insurgency is a collective struggle for which we have great role to play.”
The Amir of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in the Lagos State Area Unit, Saheed Ashafa, congratulated Nigerians on the fruitful completion of the 1439AH Ramadan, stressing: “We should continue to live in piety and fear our Creator after the month of Ramadan.
We should be good symbols and ambassadors of Islam at all times. I plead with us not to commit iniquities that we avoided in Ramadan in any other months.”
The Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Ishaq Akintola, congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, and the entire citizenry.
He noted that Ramadan is the month of mercy, reminding President Muhammadu Buhari of the 54 soldiers imprisoned for refusing to fight Boko Haram with poor weapons.
“They were sentenced to life imprisonment before the sentence was commuted to 10 years imprisonment. MURIC sees the 54 soldiers as whistleblowers, not criminals, because they actually exposed the $2.1 billion arms fraud.
It is a sad paradox that while other whistleblowers are being rewarded, the 54 soldiers are languishing in jail. This is frustrating.
“In the spirit of the forgiveness and freedom, which Ramadan stands for, we appeal to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to, in exercise of the prerogative of mercy, grant presidential pardon to the 54 soldiers.”
Top government officials also sent goodwill messages. Senate President Bukola Saraki called for sustained prayers for peace in the country.
“We have just ended a month-long fast, paving way for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
We should, therefore, seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” he said, noting that in spite of challenges facing the nation, “hope is not lost.”
On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, called on Muslims to “replicate and demonstrate in your daily lives the lessons and virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, piety, self-denial and genuine love towards one another, which you learnt during the month-long fast.”
He added: “I urge you to take out opportunity, cashing on the spirituality of this festive period, to offer special prayers for the nation against the backdrop of the current security and economic situation.”
