Message of Peace At Sallah Celebrations
Qasim Akinreti.
Nigerians
gathered at different praying ground to offer prayers for peace
and progress to mark the end of 29 days Ramadan Fast.
At the praying grounds across the country, two
supererogatory prayers were offered by Muslims. This was
followed by short sermons from the Imam, who led the prayers.
Speaking after the prayers in Abuja, Nigeria’s
capital, the Nigeria President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua urged all
Muslims to imbibe the lessons learnt in the Ramadan period and
called on all Nigerians to make the country and the world a
better place.
According to Yar'Adua, "we must also restrain
ourselves from those attitudes that despoil our nature,
especially dishonesty and abuse of trust. We should make our
nation a better place; and the world a better place to live in.
If we do not make use of the lessons, we are travelling on the
wrong path."
Religious Leaders
In the same vain, the Head of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, Dr Mashuud Fasola, used the occasion to
enjoin the Nigeria government to be committed to the country’s
development in the area of infrastructure- energy, potable water
and good road among others.
One of the leading Islamic philanthropist’s and
Muslim leader, Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo, reminded all to
keep faith with Nigeria and work towards its progress.
The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI,
congratulated all Muslims worldwide and tasked all religious
faithful to live together in brotherly love.
According to the Catholic Pontiff: "As servants of the
Almighty," Moslems and Christians owe it a duty above all, to
work in favour of peace, by showing respect for the convictions
of individuals and communities everywhere through freedom of
religious practice."
Visits
In line with traditions, visits were paid to
political leaders, friends and associates by Muslims in
Nigeria.
Speaking when a delegation from the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) paid him the traditional Sallah visit at
the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Yar'Adua expressed his
felicitations with all Nigerians on the Muslim celebrations.
The Minister of the FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar,
who delivered the Sallah greetings, prayed for the success of
the Yar'Adua government.
The delegation included the Chief Imam of the
National Mosque, Sheikh Musa Mohammed, and the National Chairman
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali.
Fun Time
Many Nigerian Muslims are already trooping to
places of interests and amusement parks to savour the joy of the
celebration.
In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve center,
tourists center such as the Beaches, National Arts Theater
recorded high turn out of fun seekers both young and old.
Cov/Monitor/Qasim
