Muslims seek moral renewal, celebrates Eid-el-Fitr

It is pomp, cheers and happiness as Muslims across the country join their counterparts across the globe to celebrate the yearly Eid-el-Fitr festival.

Eid-el-Fitr is the yearly celebration marking the end of the glorious month of Ramadan and fasting that may have lasted 29 or 30 days. The faithful have called for moral renewal to entrench decency and promote socio political ethics.

As the faithful gather at different praying ground to pray and felicitate with one another, the President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has wished them fruitful celebrations.

Also, the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has unveiled plans to celebrate with Muslims simultaneously in Lagos, at designated locations in each of the 20 Local Government councils across the state.

Ambode, who planned to celebrate with Muslims alongside his wife, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, would be at the venues on Eid-el-Fitri day.

Apart from the usual merriment associated with such festivals, celebrating Muslims will have the opportunity to pray for sustainability of peace and continuation of unprecedented development for Lagos and for Governor Ambode, as well as his wife and other members of his family for many successes recorded so far in the third-year of Administration.

He therefore pledged to continue to meet with the people during important religious festivals, stating that grassroots participation, involvement and identification to enhance spirituality “is central to sustainability of peaceful coexistence and religious harmony, bringing unprecedented accomplishments being experienced in Lagos.”

Amir, The Muslim Congress (TMC), Dr. Lukman AbdurRaheem, in his salah message said: “While we rejoice and celebrate, let us keep alive the great lessons of Ramadan.

We have learnt lessons of voluntary abstinence, unconditional obedience, humane love of sharing and caring for fellow humans as well as pure sincerity to Allah.

Let these lessons be translated into practical actions in our economic, social and political relationships.

“As we celebrate Eid Fitri, let us reflect outpouring of generosity towards one another especially the less privileged amongst us.

“Nigeria is passing through a critical phase in its socio-economic and political development, let us play positive role in this desirable process.

“The fight against corruption, bad governance, nepotism, mediocrity, examination malpractice, ethnic cum religious terrorism and insurgency is a collective struggle, for which we have great role to play.

“Let us support the three levels of government directly and indirectly at repositioning Nigeria and embedding good governance.

“Let use the opportunity provided by Eidul Fitri to re-dedicate and refocus our lives to the cause of moral renewal, value reorientation and reinventing our humanity, which are traits required by Nigeria to rise again.

“Let us resolve to strengthen the bond of Islamic faith, respect, brotherly love, and mutual understanding irrespective of our differences,” he said.