Former Vice President of Nigeria and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar has congratulated Christians and Muslims on the commencement of the Lent season and Ramadan, respectively. The Christian and Muslim season of fasting begins today, Wednesday, February 18.
The former Vice President, who is also the Waziri Adamawa said that the announcement of the sighting of the moon by His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, as represented by the Shehu of Borno, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, enjoins Muslims in Nigeria to embark on Ramadan fasting.
“The holy month of Ramadan has come again and it is a moment that enjoins us to be steadfast in good deeds, more than before.
“The Almighty Allah has commanded us to embark on mandatory fasting in this holy month and it is a season that calls us to more piety, worship and sacrifice.”
He noted that apart from being a period of spiritual and physical purification and self-restraint, it will foster empathy and compassion towards the poor, thereby motivating both Christians and Muslims towards charity.
He observed that it is a pleasant coincidence for the season of sacrifice for both Christians and Muslims to be commencing on the same day.
He wished both Christians and Muslims a rewarding spiritual exercise.
“It is therefore incumbent on the well-to-do in the society to extend charity to the less privileged and those who have limited means to fulfill the obligations of this season of sacrifice,” Atiku said.
