Buhari urges Muslims to promote religious harmony

As Muslims conclude their Ramadan fast, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the faithful in Nigeria to promote religious harmony among citizens.

In his Sallah message to Nigerians yesterday, Buhari commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a good job in the last general elections despite the initial difficulties. He praised the voters for their strong faith in the democratic process.

“Before the 2019 general elections, prophets of doom didn’t give the country a chance to conduct peaceful elections. Despite these fears, the country overcame its political challenges.

“For abandoning their businesses to vote, the voters demonstrated great patriotism.

“Let me use this opportunity once again to reassure Nigerians that their sacrifices in voting for me won’t be in vain. I will ensure that the ordinary voter feels the positive impact of government,” the president said.

On the lessons of the Ramadan, Buhari urged Muslims to always put humanity before personal interests.

“The Ramadan period is meant to reinforce us spiritually; therefore, we should use religion as an inspiration to do good at all times.

“The virtues of Ramadan should be sustained beyond the celebration. Going back to bad ways after the Ramadan might defeat the essence of the message and lessons the fasting period was supposed to inculcate in the hearts and minds of the Muslim faithful,” he said.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, yesterday, President Buhari also commiserated with victims of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry in the country.

He reassured Nigerians that under no circumstances would criminals and mass murderers be allowed to hold the country to ransom.

“Their days are numbered because this administration will pursue them relentlessly and bring them to justice,” he added.