Saraki and Abubakar
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governorship candidate of Hope Democratic Party in the September Osun Polls have sued for peaceful co-existence and expressed felicitations with Muslim faithful and indeed all Nigerians on the joyous celebration of Eid-El-Kabir, the holy Islamic festival to commemorate the obedience and willingness of Ibrahim to follow Almighty Allah’s (SWT) command to sacrifice his son.
According To Mr Yekinin Nabena Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, “On this momentous occasion, we share below the inspiring message by Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the 83-year old Islamic cleric who courageously saved the lives of over 300 multi-faith people in Nghar village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State when conflict broke out there in June.
The holy prophet Mohammed lived in peace and harmony with diverse groups of different faiths. In following his teaching and steps, we must all appreciate the fact that the Almighty Allah created us with our diversities. We must embrace the diversity and strive to live in peace with one another. If Almighty Allah wanted us to be the same, it would have been so, but Almighty Allah brought us together to create a harmony. We should all respect one another and be selfless advocates for peace for we are all of equal values in the eyes of the Almighty Allah.
Saraki in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful in the country, signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, enjoined Nigerians to increase their efforts in charitable endeavors, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation. The Senate President urged Nigerians to further devote their prayers at the Eid praying grounds to the call on Allah to restore peace in all parts of the country, strengthen the unity and rebuild the economy.
Saraki also congratulated Muslims on the celebration of the 2018 Eid el-Kabir festival and described the special occasion as “a period that honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to show submission to Allah’s command”.
“As we have read from the Glorious Qur’an, just when Ibrahim was about to kill his son Ishmael, Almighty Allah (SWT) put a sheep in its place. Muslims use Eid el-Kabir to celebrate Prophet Ibrahim’s complete obedience to the will of Allah and as a reminder of our own willingness to make sacrifices in obedience to Allah,” he stated.
For Atiku Abubakar, Muslims across the country should take the center stage in promoting and spreading love among fellow Nigerians in order to consolidate our unity.
He explained that diversity is not the cause of Nigeria’s problems, but blamed the attitude of Nigerians towards one another instead.
According to him, “the common interests that unite Nigerians are by far stronger than those petty factors that divide us,” adding that diversity can be used to advantage.
Atiku said intolerance, extremism and bigotry, if unchecked, could threaten peace and unity in any country.
He noted that peace and unity are the greatest assets that should not be taken for granted by Nigerians.
According to him, interfaith dialogue would not go far enough if bigotry is allowed to defeat human reason and wisdom.
The former Vice President explained that all religions preach love of mankind, and urged Muslims to promote the beauty of their faith through positive personal conducts.
Atiku noted that societies founded on hate and bigotry are always exposed to conflicts, and said these negative emotions can only be defeated by the power of love.
The governorship candidate of the Hope Democratic Party in the forthcoming election, Wole Adedoyin has called for prayers for the State of Osun and Nigeria as a country.
Adedoyin in a statement urged Nigeria Muslim to rededicate themselves to the quest for an economically viable and politically stable Nigeria.
He also appealed for prayers from all citizens irrespective of their religious affiliations, for peace in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The National Coordinator of the National Interparty Youth Alliance (NIYA) finally enjoined Muslim faithful to use the Eid-el-Kabir festival to promote unity, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and the spirit of sacrifice.
