Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s virtues of compassion, tolerance and commitment to peace.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Paul Ibe, Head of Media to Atiku, to mark Maulud, the birthday of the Prophet.
Atiku reminded Muslims that the greatest honour they could do was to practise Mohammed’s positive examples.
He expressed concern that the activities of some misguided elements around the world “are inconsistent with the virtues for which Prophet Muhammad was famous for”.
Atiku identified such virtues to include, respect for life, tolerance and avoiding violence against the innocent.
“Deliberate aggression was never part of the virtues the Prophet of Islam lived for. Therefore, Muslims have a binding duty to reclaim the good name of Islam by neutralising the pernicious influence of extremists.’’
The statement said that the violent interpretation of Islam by a minority of extremists that espouse poisonous ideologies was giving the religion a bad name.
It said that the Maulud celebration should be seen as an occasion for sober reflection and a reminder for Muslims to rededicate themselves to the noble virtues and exemplary life of Prophet Muhammad.
In another development, Atiku has congratulated Christians ahead of the Christmas celebration, to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.
He said that the birth of Christ showed God’s love for mankind and a rekindled hope that the creator wished for people to live a full and happy life on earth.
Atiku commended the present administration for ‘’preaching the gospel of change and renewal, and taking sure-footed steps to show that a new era is here.’’
Atiku also said that this year’s celebrations were “significant and special.
“It was in this year’s national elections that the 16-year-old prayer of the Nigerian people of all faiths, for a purposeful and more responsive government was answered.’’
He said that the prayer of Nigerians was answered with a new government and a new political party in power.
Very well said Turaki Nigeria.
Happy Maulud celebration to the Muslim faithful.
Merry Christmas to the Christians.
Show love to one another, Respect the life and religious of each other and Tolerate one another.
United we stand. God bless Nigeria.