Muslim journalists urge tolerance, moderation

The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) felicitates with Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike on the occasion of the Mawlud Nabiyy (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad) which coincides with Friday December 1, 2017.

The National President of MMPN, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, canvassed for tolerance, patience and moderation at all levels.
Balogun said in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad of moderation, patience and tolerance, Muslims and non-Muslims alike are implored to emulate these attributes of the Prophet of Allah as a mark of honour to him.

He noted with serious concern the drift towards anarchy in the polity and increase in domestic violence within families in Nigeria.

“Ahead of 2018, preparatory to 2019 general elections, we noticed tension building up in various camps of political divides occasioned by forthcoming conventions and primaries of various political parties. Various reports of stockpiling of arms, deprival of opposition of use of facilities like rally ground.after proper booking, the creation of bottle-necks in the way of opposition programmes and clashing of convoys on major roads, among others, are danger signals capable of truncating the democratic process”.

MMPN charges all parties concerned to exhibit political tolerance and eschew violence and vindictiveness.“Politics is all about living and letting live. It should be about good governance and provision of dividends of democracy for the people”.

That was how Prophet Muhammad lived his life in Madinah as a leader and head of state to the people. He lived side by side with unbelievers and tolerated them to the extent that he was turned back from his city in Makkah.

In the same vein, we noticed the disturbing increase in domestic violence of husbands killing wives and vice versa, children killing parents and vice versa, as well as friends killing friends. These ugly incidences, most times are attributable to lack of patience and tolerance.

MMPN hereby urges all to eschew violence, tolerate one another and exercise extreme patience in all matters in line with the dictates of Prophet Muhammad who preaches “patience, patience and patience’’ on all issues.

We equally implore Muslim groups to celebrate with moderation as this is not one of the festivities in Islam but to take time and reflect on which aspect of the Prophet Muhammad life they have imbibed.