As Muslims worldwide celebrated this year’s Eid-el-Fitr on Sunday, Nigerians embraced the Sallah spirit despite economic hardships.
The air was filled with greetings of “Happy Sallah” as families and friends came together to celebrate, while traditional activities such as the durbar were conducted in many northern states, with recreational centres filled with visitors.
And despite most families contending with hardships brought on by the current administration’s economic policies, the Muslim faithful defied these challenges to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr.
Meanwhile, despite these challenges, leaders are urging citizens to show love and kindness to one another.
In his Sallah felicitations, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called on Nigerians to help the vulnerable members of society and stressed the importance of empathy and compassion during this festive period. Governors and other prominent figures have also preached peace and unity among their compatriots.
President Tinubu spoke with journalists after the Eid-el-Fitr prayers marking the end of Ramadan at the Abuja National Eid Prayer Ground on Sunday. In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the president urged Nigerians not to return to the old and unacceptable paths but to remain steadfast in practising the righteous virtues they had learned during Ramadan.
In his sermon, the chief imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Dr Abdulkadir Salman Sholagberu, who led the prayers, reiterated the need for Muslims to continue in the spirit of Ramadan, which includes exhibiting a life of love, cooperation in righteousness, and care for the poor and vulnerable. He stressed that it was imperative to continue living a life of worship, holiness, and obedience to Allah even after Ramadan.
Dr Salman urged the Muslim faithful to live in peace, harmony, and love of the country, devoid of discrimination.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has extendedcongratulations to Muslims in Nigeria as they observe Eid-el-Fitr, while simultaneously urging the federal government to investigate the tragic killings of 16 hunters in Uromi, Edo State.
In a congratulatory message on the completion of Ramadan, CANPresident Archbishop Daniel Okoh stressed the significance of Eid-el-Fitr as a time of reflection, prayer, and community.
LEADERSHIP reports that yesterday was President Tinubu’s first Eid-el-Fitr celebration in Abuja since 2023.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, members of the Federal Executive Council, and other senior government officials were in attendance.
On his part, Senate President Godswill Akpabio felicitated with Muslim faithful, urging them to pray for the unity of the nation.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by his special adviser on media and publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio emphasised the importance of unity and encouraged Muslims to continue working towards national cohesion.
“May this joyous occasion bring you peace, happiness, and spiritual renewal,” he said.
In the same vein, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji congratulated Muslim faithful in the state and the country on the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
In his goodwill message, signed by his special adviser on media, Yinka Oyebode, on Sunday, the governor congratulated the Muslim faithful on the completion of the 30-day fast and stressed the need to maintain the level of spirituality that characterised the Ramadan period throughout the year.
Governor Oyebanji admonished Muslims to put the teachings of the holy month to good use in all undertakings, urging them and adherents of other religions to continue to live in love, peace, and harmony with one another as brothers and sisters.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State appealed to the people of the state to take the lessons learned during the month of Ramadan, and also to embrace peace and unity.
The governor, in a broadcast on Sunday shortly after Eid-el-Fitr prayers, felicitated the Muslim community for a successful Sallah, which marks the end of Ramadan fasting.
He urged the Muslim community in Zamfara State and beyond to reflect deeply on the sacrifices and devotion to Allah made during Ramadan.
Likewise, Kano State governor Alhaji Abba Yusuf urged Muslims to uphold the virtues of patience, compassion, and unity cultivated during Ramadan.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, the governor emphasised the importance of sustaining the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness, encouraging citizens to support the less privileged and promote harmony in their communities.
Eid-el-Fitr: PDP, Atiku, Obi Urge Nigerians, Leaders On Piety, Compassion
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, have congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Holy Ramadan fasting and urged Nigerians to allow the divine lessons, values of love, unity, peace, patience, tolerance, restraint and total submission to the will of the Almighty Allah among other virtues imbibed during the period to guide their daily dealings with one another.
In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologungaba, PDP urged Nigerians, especially those in leadership positions at all levels, to re-dedicate themselves to selfless service guided by love, truth, fairness, honesty, and impartiality in all their activities and put away acts of corruption, arrogance, manipulation, and insensitivity to the plight of the people.
The main opposition party spokesman said the party was deeply disturbed that while citizens of other countries are celebrating Eid-el-Fitr in abundance, Nigerians are dampened in spirit due to the unbearable hardship occasioned by the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which has worsened the country’s woes in the last two years.
“Our party, however, charges Nigerians not to relent but continue to apply the lessons of Ramadan in recharging their resilience, focus and love for one another in the pursuit of a God-fearing, secure and prosperous nation that we once had under the PDP administration,” he said.
On his part, Atiku, who is also the Waziri Adamawa, admonished leaders at all levels to prioritise the wellbeing of Nigerians.
In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said, “The Ramadan fasting of this year came around at a period of excruciating hardship and hunger in the country.
“While the Ramadan season encouraged charity to the less privileged, it becomes imperative for leaders to make sure that after Ramadan, governments initiate interventions that will ensure the wellbeing and welfare of the people are sustained.
“It is important to call the attention of those in positions of authority to the practices of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that teach about the obligations of leadership to the people.
“It is not enough that the government will ask that the people should brace themselves for harsh economic conditions; it is more sufficient for the leadership to show compassion on the masses and by acting with fear of God,” Atiku said.
Obi greets Muslim faithful
Similarly, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, extended his goodwill to Nigerian Muslims, urging them to let the love and spirit of Ramadan guide their daily living.
The Peter Obi Media Outreach spokesman, Mr Ibrahim Umar, conveyed the goodwill message in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
Obi, in his message, said, “It is our earnest prayer that Almighty Allah will accept our prayers, fasting, and supplications now and always.
“It was indeed very fulfilling for me to break the Ramadan fast with different Muslim communities across the nation. Sharing our blessings and joys with one another is not just an act of Ramadan, but should be part of our everyday lives.”
He prayed that the blessings and lessons of Ramadan would remain with Nigerians and that “love will live in our hearts, peace and unity will flourish in our nation.”
CAN Calls For Unity, Justice As Muslims Celebrate Eid-el-Fitr
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has extended congratulations to Muslims in Nigeria as they observe Eid-el-Fitr, while simultaneously urging the federal government to investigate the tragic killings of 16 hunters in Uromi, Edo State.
In a congratulatory message on the completion of Ramadan, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh stressed the significance of Eid-el-Fitr as a time of reflection, prayer, and community.
“This festival marks the end of a sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. As Christians, we resonate with these practices, sharing values of prayer, fasting, charity, and community with our Muslim neighbors. These principles form the foundation of our unity and offer hope for a stronger, more harmonious Nigeria,” he stated.
Okoh, however emphasised the pressing challenges facing the nation, expressing concern over security threats, rampant kidnappings, and violence that loom over communities.
“Economic difficulties, including soaring inflation and widespread unemployment, impose immense burdens on countless families. Social unrest, fueled by these grievances, continues to test our resilience,”
he said.
In light of the recent violence, he addressed the brutal murder of the 16 hunterswho were traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano for Eid-el-Fitr.
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