Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir festival, which to be marked by muslims across the globe on June 28, a former Cross River State Commissioner for Inter-governmental Affairs under former Governor Ben Ayade, Alhaji Adamu Musa Uba, has solicited support from the Muslim community in the state for the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, so that he can move the state forward.
Adamu made the call during a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP in Calabar on the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
In his words of goodwill to Governor Otu and the Muslim community in Cross River State to mark the Eid-el-Kabir, Uba canvassed for support of Muslims resident in in the State for Governor Otu.
Uba, who was the first non-indigenous Commissioner in the State, urged all the Muslim faithful not to relent in putting thier weight behind Otu so that he can succeed in the revival of the socio-economic life of residents of the state.
While charging the Muslim community in the state to support programmes and policies initiated by the Otu administration, he called for selflessness, love, unity, forgiveness of one another, peace and sacrifice.
“With Otu, we are sure of econmic revival which he had always been known for right from the period when he served the state as Senator, he had always been known for initiating humanitarian programmes.
“He had proven his mettle when he represented the people of Cross River South as Senator at the National Assembly. His empowerement programme was second to none,” he stated.
Giving an insight into what the Eid-el-Kabir festival is all about, Uba stated that the festival usually celebrated with prayers offered on the Eid prayer ground, is usually followed by slaughter of goats, sheep and cattle in commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son to show obedience to Allah.
“In Islamic parlance, it’s most important feast in the Islamic calendar because it is an occasion where willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Isma’il, in submission to Allah’s command.
“In commemoration of this intervention, an animal, usually, a ram, is sacrificed ritually and divided into three parts.
“One share is given to the poor and needy, another is kept for home and the third portion is given to relatives,” he explained.