As the nation joins the rest of the world, especially the Islamic community to celebrate the annual Eid-el-Kabir, Nigerians have been charged to imbibe its tenets of love, faith, obedience, prayer, sacrifice and submission to the will of God, with the reminder that it is an occasion for displaying the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighbourliness.
According to the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, Nigerians, Muslims and Christians alike, should use the occasion to renew their faith in God, love their neighbours and make necessary sacrifices to improve the lot of the country, considering the security and other challenges it has experienced in the recent past.
He reminds the citizens that the country would be much better and more progressive if only Nigerians imbibe the lessons offered by the Eid-el Kabir. Islam, he says, is not only a religion of peace that recognises religious differences and enjoins tolerance, it also abhors the willful taking of human lives in any guise.
He therefore reminds those revelling in the termination of innocent lives, and their sponsors, of their lack of support by Islam and calls for a change of heart from them in line with Allah’s admonitions.
According to the Minister, the Eid-el-Kabir should not be celebrated with over-indulgence in eating and drinking, but to reflect on how and why the country was almost brought to its knees by agents of darkness.
He charges Nigerians to reverse the nation’s course to self-destruction by asking God’s favour and to work for the country’s collective good, especially in fostering religious harmony and national security.
Olubolade wishes all Nigerians a happy and rewarding Eid-el-Kabir and felicitate with all Nigerian Muslim pilgrims who have successfully performed their religious obligation.
