The President of ALGON, Hon. Alabi Kolade David on Tuesday called on Muslims in Nigeria to imbibe the values of sacrifice, and love and continue to foster unity as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.
In his Sallah message, Alabi said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice, and sincere commitment to righteous conduct in their private and public life.
He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, adding that as Muslims prepare to offer animal sacrifice on the prescribed days of the festival, the real essence was not in the meat or the blood of the animal but to encourage piety, self-discipline, and sacrifice.
Alabi, therefore, called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values for the good of the country and shun any act capable of heating up the polity or causing distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.
“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place a high premium on human life, love of neighbour, and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country”,
“This period requires more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism, and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all,” the President said.
In his own message, Somolu Council Chairman, Hon. AbdulHamed Salawu ‘Dullar’ felicitated the Muslim Community on the celebration of the Id-el-Kabir. In the message on Tuesday, Hon. Dullar urged the Muslim Community to pray for the unity and peace of the nation as they celebrate. ‘Dullar’ called on the Muslim faithful to use the Id-el-Kabir celebrations to re-dedicate themselves to the ideals of peace, security, and friendship.
The Agba-Akin of Agboyi Kingdom urged Nigerians to promote religious tolerance, adding that such virtue would ensure peace in the community, across the country and enhance national development. He assured the Muslim community and all residents of his administration’s determination to improve the lives of the citizens.
Meanwhile, the newly elected Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Somolu Constituency I, Hon. Biodun Orekoya also congratulated Muslims on the celebration of the Eld-el-Kabir festival urging them to be peaceful, generous, law-abiding, and prayerful. stating that they should use the opportunity to pray for peace and unity in the country.
“We should use this occasion to appreciate God by being tolerant and being our neighbours’ keepers, assist the needy and the poor and give support to government programmes and policies aimed at making life more comfortable to the people”.
Orekoya in his closing remarks, however, promised not to relent in his efforts at providing sustainable infrastructural facilities while wishing Muslims a fruitful celebration and many more prosperous years. enjoined Nigerians in other parts of the country to continue to be their brothers’ keepers.
