- Fubara to Muslims: pray against insecurity
The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, has urged Muslims to pray for peace, unity and progress, as the Holy fasting month of Ramadan begins.
He made the call in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, on Monday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muslims all over the world commenced the 29 or 30 days of fasting following the sighting of the Ramadan crescent for the year 1445 After Hijra (AH).
Muslims in Nigeria, therefore, joined the rest of the world to observe Ramadan, as Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), declared March 11, the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and a religious obligation compulsory on all healthy Muslim adults.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar where Muslims observe month-long fast, worship, service, communal gathering and spiritual development.
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Audu, therefore, stressed the importance of peace in shoring up development in the country and called for the cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve the feat.
He urged Nigerians to shun every form of violence and misdeeds, and coexist peacefully, irrespective of religious or political affiliations.
He added that “this holy month is also an opportunity for us to pray for peace, unity, security, and progress of our beloved country, as well as for our President, Bola Tinubu , our leaders, and all those in position of authority to lead the country well.
“The nation is at a time where it is confronted with numerous challenges; economic pressures, insecurity, among other challenges.”
He urged Muslims to abide by the teachings of Ramadan, take advantage of the period to show love and kindness to the less privileged, irrespective of their faith.
He described Ramadan as a period where Muslims should be closer to Allah through fasting, prayers, abstinence, spiritual growth, and almsgiving.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray against the spread of insecurity in the country.
He reminded Muslims that Ramadan is a time for spiritual renewal, self-discipline, acts of kindness, and charity, and prayed that the month-long sacred period bring them closer to God, and strengthen their faith, while at the same time, bringing peace, joy and tranquility to the State and the Nation.
He said: “I appeal to all Muslims to observe the fast with the ultimate fear of God, and also advise well-to-do individuals to generously support the less privileged with basic food stuffs during the Holy month of Ramadan”.
The governor assured residents, including Muslims, of equal opportunities to excel in all their genuine and legitimate endeavours undertaken to support the government in efforts to add value to the lives of the people and the prosperity of the state.