The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muslims

  • Glo greets Muslims

    Nigeria’s foremost telecommunications operator, Globacom, has extended congratulatory messages to Muslims across the nation on the successful completion of this year’s annual one month-long fast, called Ramadan.

    The operator in a statement urged Muslim faithful to inculcate the lessons learnt during the fast to make a positive impact on their neighbours and the larger society.

    The firm prayed for the country’s progress.

    Globacom encouraged all Muslims to use the opportunity of the celebration to pray for the peace, unity and growth of the nation as well as to fully imbibe the tenets of Islam as taught by Prophet Mohammed.

    ”We wish all our Muslim brethren a very happy Eid-el-Fitri and we pray that the Almighty Allah will grant their prayers for peace and progress of Nigeria”, the company said.

    ‘’It is a season of charity, peace-making and forgiveness. We must use this season to remember to care for the poor and the needy in line with Allah’s injunction to be our brother’s keeper,” Globacom said.

    Globacom said it would provide a platform for all Muslim subscribers on its network to enjoy this year’s Sallah through its Islamic value-added offerings like the GloAdhan, Daily Prayers, Daily reflection, Islamic Digest and Hausa Islamic Services.

    Globacom subscribers can access the services by sending Adhan to 7728 or by dialing *7728*786#. They can also send IDH to 50550 for Daily Prayers, REF to 50550 for Daily Reflection, DIG to 50550 for Islamic Digest and IDH to 50550 for Hausa Islamic Digest.

  • Obi, Daniel felicitate with Muslims

    Obi, Daniel felicitate with Muslims

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and ex-Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel have felicitated with Muslims as they celebrate the 2017  Eid-el-Fitri festival.

    Obi reminded them  about the  spiritual message which this solemn feast signifies for the entire human society.

    He said: “The successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast, upon which the Eid-el-Fitri festivity rests, is an apt reminder that human society must be imbued with those values that lead to, and reflect the brilliance of God.”

    Obi, who said the celebration underscored love, friendship, brotherliness, charity and generosity, among other values, reminded Muslims of the virtues of harmonious co-existence in a diverse society like Nigeria.

    His words: “Greatness will come to nations that consciously plan and work for it through consensus and confidence building measures.”

    Daniel, in a goodwill message signed by his Media Officer, Ayo Giwa, said: “Muslims should be guided by the spirit of the period of total abstinence, keeping away from vices in all ramifications and imbibing the teachings and pious lifestyles of the Holy Prophet Muhammad”.

    The former governor urged Muslim faithful to uphold the lessons of the holy month by avoiding sinful acts that were abhorred and not allow them to become part of their lives after Ramadan.

    The celebration of Eid-el-Fitri, he stated, goes beyond merry-making but rather, a period of total submission to the will of Allah as demonstrated during the fasting period.”

  • PFN greets Muslims on Eid-el-Fitr

    PFN greets Muslims on Eid-el-Fitr

    The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Reverend Felix Omobude has felicitated with all Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr.

    In a statement, Dr Omobude congratulated them on the completion of this year’s Ramadan season and prayed for a joyful time of celebration for everyone.

    He urged Nigerians to embrace mutual tolerance and understanding in their conduct and relationships, irrespective of faith, ethnicity or gender to take the country to greater heights in the different areas of life.

    The PFN President called on all religious leaders to continue to lift up the country in their prayers so that there can be an end to bloodshed in the land and eschew all forms of hate and provocative speech, kidnapping and terrorism in whatever form.

    He prayed for wisdom for those in public office, so they are able to guide the nation in the right direction and attain success in the march for a restoration of the right values.

  • Benue Muslims support anti-grazing law

    The Muslim community in Benue State has supported the anti-open grazing law.

    Leader of the community, Sheik Ibrahim Aliyu, stated this at the Benue Peoples’ House during iftar with Governor Samuel Ortom.

    According to him, those criticizing the law were ignorant of its content and intent, saying it is not against any particular ethnic group, faith or sect.

    Sheik Aliyu said Muslims in the state, who know the extent of carnage and destruction done by herdsmen to life and property, stand behind Ortom. He noted that the law is to safeguard life and property.

    He added that the Muslim Umma in the state will soon undertake a tour of the far North to explain the content and intent of the law to fellow Muslims who are being misled to attack the governor.

    Ortom,who was represented by his deputy, Benson Abounu, thanked the Muslim community for standing for truth and supporting the government’s honest attempt to tackle the incessant farmers/herders clash.

    He said enacting the law is the best thing to do, adding that despite threats and criticisms from certain quarters, there is no going back on its implementation.

  • Muslims/ Christians worship together in Kaduna

    The District Head of Barnawa Kaduna, Kaduna State, Kabiru Zubairu, has called on youths to embrace peace and live together.

    The monarch spoke yesterday at a thanksgiving organised by the Living Faith Foundation Church Barnawa, for both Muslims and Christians. He admonished youths from all tribes to come together and live in one atmosphere of peaceful co-existence to move the country forward.

    According to him, development can only happen when there is peace. He, said youths should focus their energy on how to move the country forward rather that disintegrating it.

    Alhaji Zubairu congratulated the Church for organising the thanksgiving which, according to him, will unite both religions.

    In his own words, Pastor Peter Y. Jiya, said: “The Church chose the day to thank our maker for the things he has done, the things he is doing and that which he is yet to do.

    “God did not bring us this far to take us back again; he brought us out to take us into our individual promised land. Despite the giants and hurdles on our ways in 2016, he brought us out by his mercies, loving-kindness and divine faithfulness; he has preserved us to take us to where he wants us to be in 2017.”

  • Yari urges Muslims to pray for Buhari

    Yari urges Muslims to pray for Buhari

    Zamfara State Governor Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, has urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari currently receiving medical treatment in London.

    Yari made the call at the Democracy Day celebration in Gusau on Monday. He said Muslims should also use the period to pray for leaders.

    He said Buhari’s administration had good mission of change in the country, adding that Nigerians should therefore, pray for him to come back and continue with his good leadership role.

    The governor said that the state government under his leadership in the past six years, spent billions of naira on development projects for the good of the people.

    “I am sure the people of Zamfara have seen the impact of these projects in our socio-economic activities, especially those at the rural communities, in the areas of healthcare, roads, education and agriculture,” he said.

    Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, had described Buhari as “tested and trusted leader”, who came to rescue Nigeria.

    According to him, Buhari has good mission and vision for Nigerians. He is a leader we have never had, and therefore, we should unite and pray for him irrespective of our differences.

  • Ramadan: Sultan of Sokoto to announce moon sigthing, says JNI

    Ramadan: Sultan of Sokoto to announce moon sigthing, says JNI

    As Muslims all over the world get set to observe this year’s Ramadan fasting, the Jama’Atu Nasirl Islam (JNI) Thursday said that the announcement of moon-sighting will be made by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

    The Kogi State Chairman of Jama’Atu Nasril Islam, Ambassador Usman Bello made this known in Lokoja during a press briefing to usher in this year Ramadan fasting.

    He mentioned that Friday, the sighting of the moon should be communicated to the Sultan who is also the President General of JNI for eventual announcement.

    The chairman of JNI appealed to all Islamic organisations, the Ulamah, the Mufassirun and the entire Muslim Ummah to follow the guidelines of Tafseer as laid down by the national headquarters of JNI.

    He also warned that provocative and indecent language, character assassination, during the tafseer should be completely avoided, saying that Islam is a religion of peace and “we must preach to build and not preach to destroy”.

    His words: “During Tafseer/preaching, the Ulama should not engage in controversial issues that are capable of dividing the Ummah and diverting attention from the major problems affecting the Ummah.

    “The Ulama should, during Tafseer/preaching, proffer solutions to problems that have become endemic in the society, especially corruption and injustice at all level, political thuggery, adultery, cultism, witchcraft, ritual killings, the breakdown of Muslim family values, gambling and intoxication, dishonestly, insecurity and all other social vices and moral decadence bedevilling the society,” he appealed”.

    Ambassador Bello therefore called on Nigerians to use the period to pray to Allah to continue to guide, protect and support our leaders at all levels for peace, unity and development.

    “Let us continue to pray fervently for President Muhammadu Buhari for quick recovery and for his safe return home to continue his crusade of change and social reforms,” he added.

     

  • Association seeks unity among Muslims

    THE Muslims Community of Lagos State (MCLS) has moved to unite Muslims and Islamic organisations in Lagos State and its environs.
    At a meeting in Lagos, a delegation led by its President, Prof. Tajudeen Gbadebo Gbadamosi, met with the executives of Muslims Association of Nigeria (MAN).
    Gbadamosi told President of MAN, Alhaji Sulaiman Alabi Yusuf that the meeting was aimed at strengthening contacts to facilitate unity and collaboration in the interest of Muslims in Lagos State.
    He added that his delegation had met with other key Muslim organisations on the same mandate.
    In an interview with The Nation, Gbadamosi said: “There is so much work to do to ensure that all of us pool our resources together and work in unity on all the issues we want to tackle.
    “Because of this, there is need for us to establish one-on-one relationship at all levels and to meet and work together. This is the purpose of our meeting today.
    “The MCLS is an umbrella platform and an association for all Muslims in Lagos to come together to address common issues.”
    He added: “For example, the organisation wants to address the issue of standard education for all Muslims – whether for men, women, boys and girls – from the primary school to the university. Many of the people we want to focus on are falling by the way side and if this continues, they cannot sustain themselves or contribute to national growth.
    “If all the people are educated and enlightened, they can contribute their quota to national growth.”
    Gbadamosi said the organisation is a successor to the Nigeria Muslims Council because the latter is defunct.
    According to the MCLS boss, his council collaborates with organisations in Lagos State and networks with Muslims Ummah of Southwest of Nigeria (MUSWEN) on their behalf.
    On the essence of the meeting, Yusuf said: “From the briefings we had, it is all about the need for all Muslim organisations to come together under one umbrella, the need to unite and collaborate with one another, so that we can have one voice speaking within the Lagos State Muslim community.
    “For some years, the idea has been mooted and a council has been established, which is the Lagos State Muslims Community. Now, they are inviting the representatives of MAN to come and be part of the executive council and other committees.
    “We have given them our support that we are ready to collaborate with the organisation. The ultimate goal is foster unity so that we can develop the Muslim community.
    “Understand is very vital in any organisation and we need to work together to ensure the association’s success.”
    “The meeting was a successful one and we assured them we shall collaborate with the organisation.”
    He added that the parties at the meeting did not discuss any national issue.
    The MCLS, which was officially inaugurated in 2015 by the President-General Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, is expected to serve as veritable voice of the Muslim Community in Lagos State and encourage Muslims to be active participants in the general well-being of the society, among others.

  • Fire kills 20 in Senegalese religious gathering

    No fewer than 20 people were killed when a fire broke out in a Muslim spiritual retreat in eastern Senegal, local media reported on Thursday.

    About 50 others were injured when the fire broke out in the village of Medina Gounass, according to newspaper L’Observateur.

    The village holds an annual retreat attended by thousands of Muslims from across West Africa each year.

    The gathering, called “Daaka”, is a spiritual retreat that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year from Senegal and several countries of the sub region.

    It took place in the middle of the bush, under the temporary shelters of straw.

    The cause of the fire which also ravaged sheds where goods and vehicles were parked has not been determined.

    The 2017 edition of Daaka kicked off on Saturday and will continue until April 17.

    It is scheduled to receive Friday the visit of the Senegalese head of state.

    The cause of the fire remained unknown on Thursday.

  • Islamic group urges Muslims to embrace farming, shun begging for alms

    Sheikh Abdullahi Balaau, National Chairman, Jama’atu Izalatu Bidi’a Wa’iqamati Sunna (JIBWIS), on Monday called on Muslims to embrace farming to earn a living and shun begging for alms.

    Bala-lau made in Gombe when spoke to journalists about his visit to Gombe State.

    He said that the executive officers of the group were touring the state, as part of their efforts to sensitise Muslims to the need to be self-reliant by engaging in farming, as advocated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said that his advice to the Muslim faithful would aid efforts to boost their income and living standards in particular as well as the country’s food security in general.

    Bala-lau said that if the people took to the proposition, it would also reduce the rate of beggars in the society.

    He said that visit would also enable JIBWIS leaders to interact with members of the group across the country.

    He, however, said that the organisation had instituted a committee to look into ways of empowering members with start-up capital to enable them to set up farming businesses.

    Bala-lau urged the citizens to continue to pray for peace in the country and good health for Buhari to enable him to succeed in his nation-building efforts.