The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade has called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the cause of mankind, appreciate the gift of life and imbibe the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighbourliness.
Alaafin Owoade made the call on Friday in Oyo in his Eid-el-Kabir message through a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.
The royal father noted that the Eid-al-Adha is particularly significant because it is rooted in the scriptural accounts of both Islam and Christianity about how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), in obedience to God was to sacrifice his son before divine intervention.
“Thus, the true meaning and essence of this occasion is submission, obedience and love, virtues that are in short supply in our country today. Eid-el-Kabir is therefore a season that calls for rededication to the cause of mankind, to appreciate the gift of life and to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighbourliness.
“In spite of challenges in the process of nation-building, what confronts us is not particularly peculiar. Therefore, as we celebrate this special festival, we must reflect on and imbibe the essence of sacrifice and humility for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our country. We also need to take this opportunity to reach out to everyone in promoting love, peace and unity,” the Alaafin said.
Oba Owoade stressed that while celebrating the festival with friends and families, “it is important not to lose sight of the true meaning of this special occasion and the spirit of sacrifice it represents.
“The day, is meant to multiply good deeds by bringing happiness and pleasure to the hearts of other Muslims, by helping and supporting the poor and needy, and by getting involved in pastimes that emphasise the strong and serious Islamic character.”
He added that the situation in the country makes it compelling for Muslim faithful and indeed all Nigerians, to look beyond themselves and their immediate environment.
“Paying attention to the plight of the poor, we invariably place the welfare of our neighbours as important as ours; by allowing others to partake of our wealth or material possessions, we honour the ones who made the provision in the first place. This happens to be at the heart of all religions, but a virtue that is particularly at the heart of this festival,” Alaafin noted.
Oba Owoade therefore pointed out that the occasion should therefore go beyond the slaughtering of rams to sharing love and material possessions not only with relatives or acquaintances, but also with the displaced, the elderly, the orphans and other people at the margin of the society, including those with special needs.
“It is also important that Nigerians begin to embrace and support charitable causes and there is no better occasion than today to make such resolve,” Alaafin Owoade charged.
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