The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ramadan

  • Welcoming the month of Ramadan

    The holy month of Ramadan is just around the corner and it comes with a lot of activities, like the preaching by the Ummah in the morning or at night, depending on the time convenient for the people.

    This year’s fasting would come at a time the economic power of most Nigerians has taken a very critical dimension.

    The price of goods have hit the roof tops despite the this holy month. One needs to appeal to market people to please temper profit with mercy to avoid unnecessary and arbitrary increase of goods in the market so as to ease the pains Nigerians are passing through now.

    Also the state governments should as a matter of urgency place greater concern on their workers who would start fasting in a few days time, by ensuring all their outstanding emoluments are settled to ease the pangs of the times.

    In other Muslims countries basic things of life in the month of Ramadan are subsidised to ameliorate the plight of Ummahs who are fasting; this should be emulated by Nigerian market men and women.

    We appealed to the affluent to give out to the needy, who are fasting this would make them feel better. The Muslims should avoid anything that would affect their fast in this holy month of Ramadan, like unnecessary comment, visiting to places that would void their fasting

    Muslims should dedicate themselves with charity activities and reading of the holy Quran to acquire the blessing of Allah in this month of Ramadan.

    Prayers in this holy month would go a long way to ensure unity, mutual understanding between the different religious groups in the country.

    May Allah accept our ibadat in this holy month of Ramadan and bring peace, progress and development in all facets of our lives.

    • By Bala Nayashi,

    Lokoja, Kogi State.

     

  • Ramadan: Physician counsels Muslim faithful on water in-take

    Ramadan: Physician counsels Muslim faithful on water in-take

    Muslims intending to partake in fasting during Ramadan have been advised to consume plenty of water few days to its commencement.

    Dr Sam Onuh, a consultant-physician with the Omu-Aran General Hospital in Kwara, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Omu-Aran.

    Onuh said that that consuming plenty of water by those fasting would reduce the negative impact of dehydration on them during the month.

    According to Onuh, people who fast commonly experienced dehydration largely because they were denying bodies the required fluid from food and water they abstained from.
    “With people who are used to having breakfast; lunch, dinner and snacks in between, the fasting period could be a major challenge.

    “It is recommended that Muslims consume plenty of water prior to fasting.

    “Fasting can increase the stress level and disrupt sleep. Dehydration, hunger or lack of sleep during fasting can also lead to headache.

    “ It can also cause heartburn; lack of food leads to a reduction in stomach acid, which digests food and destroys bacteria.

    “But smelling food or even thinking about it during fasting can trigger the brain into telling the stomach to produce more acid, leading to heartburn,” he said.

    Onuh listed those that may be medically exempted from fasting to include the underweight, individuals below 18 years, pregnant women, people with type 1 diabetes and those recovering from surgery.

    The physician said that a prolonged fasting could also be effective for regenerating the immune cells.
    “This can also serve as a protection against cell damage caused by aging and chemotherapy.

    “The good news is that the body, during fasting, gets rid of the parts of the system that may be damaged, old or is inefficient.

    “Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or aging, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system.

    “Studies of intermittent fasting show that not only do people see improvements in blood pressure and their cholesterol levels, but also in their insulin sensitivity,’’ he said.

  • Our Ramadan takeaway, by students

    Our Ramadan takeaway, by students

    Last Friday, Muslims celebrated Eid-El-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. Students  stressed the need for peace and unity in the country during the occasion, report OLADELE OGE (NYSC ENUGU), HALIMAH AKANBI (300-Level Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto) and MUFTAUDEEN RAJI (100-Level Mass Communication, University of Lagos).

    Last Friday, Muslims celebrated Eid-El Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. Many campuses were agog for the festivity. At the Eid grounds, imams spoke about the significance of the month.

    Chief Imam of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Central Mosque Sheikh Adam Idoko  urged Muslim students to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed in their lives.

    Idoko, the leader of Muslims in Enugu State, enjoined Muslim youths to promote peace and  show love to their neighbours, irrespective of religion, ethnic or political affiliations.

    He said: “Islam is a religion of peace that does not compel anyone to belong to it. But, anyone who willingly accepts the faith according to the teaching of Prophet Mohammed must promote peaceful coexistence where he lives and show love to his neighbours even if they are non-Muslims.

    “It is based on our conviction that we become Muslims, and the teaching of Islam is that, we must show love and care to all without discrimination. If we want to receive more blessings from Allah during this period of celebration and after, we must remember the poor, the needy around us as well as obey all the teachings of Allah and His Prophet.”

    Idoko said Muslims must always show appreciation to Allah and refrain from negative tendences.

    The imam urged those in authority to ensure justice, equity and fairness. He advised them to shun corruption, because Allah detests acts that could subject people to untold hardship.

    Idoko said: “As Nigerians, we must pray for our leaders. We should all support President Muhammadu Buhari administration as it commits itself to ridding the country of corruption and other challenges we face. Judges and security agents must ensure that only the guilty are punished, while the innocent are set free. No matter the position or class we belong to, we must always say the truth even if it affects our personal interest. This is the best way to restore dignity to the country.”

    Chief Imam of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Central Mosque Prof Murtador Bidmus enjoined Muslims to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan, urging the youths to  maintain strong bond with their fellow youths, irrespective of status.

    The cleric, who noted that  Ramadan teaches goodness, said it was about time Muslims sunk their differences and work for a common goal to engender a balanced and just society.

    Quoting Quran 2:143, Prof Bidmus urged Muslims to maintain peace in the world.

    He said: “Islam prides itself as a religion that promotes unity and brotherhood. These fundamental values cannot be compromised. This implies that Muslims must do the right thing; they must accommodate people of diverse backgrounds. We must be good example to others and we must show the will to see that righteousness prevails. We must not fan the embers of violence and injustice in the society.”

    Lateefah Abdulazeez, a 100-Level Mass Communication student of UNILAG, said she learnt steadfastness in prayers and acts of worship during Ramadan.

    Tajudeen Mukaila, a 400-Level Education and Mathematics student, said Ramadan taught him fear of Allah and dedication.

    He said: “Ramadan taught me good manners, charity and kindness. We must continue to reflect on the lessons in our dealings with our neighbours.”

    At the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, the message was the same.

    Students, who stayed back in school for Sallah, prayed for peace in the North.

    Hassan Abdulkadir, a 200-Level Education Biology student of UDUS, said he was frightened by the insecurity in Northeast. He said: “I did not fully concentrate on the Eid prayer because anything could happen. I did not even wait to supplicate or exchange greetings with my colleagues before leaving the prayer ground. I was in fear.”

    But, Abdulrozaque Ahmad, a 300-Level Law student of UDUS, said he was not scared of bomb at Eid prayer, because “death is something we cannot run away from.”

    At Bayero University, Kano (BUK) some students converged early to observe the prayer, because of security threat. Abubakar Sanni, a 200-Level Law student of BUK, said: “We prayed for peace in Kano and other parts of the North. We hope the end of Ramadan would bring lasting peace to the nation.”

     

     

  • ‘Let Ramadan lessons guide you’

    The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus, has charged Nigerian  Muslims not to lose sight of the lessons of Ramadan and allow them to  reflect in their lives.

    By doing so, according to Badmus, who is also the Chairman of Tuns Farms, they would have succeeded in satisfying the main objective of fasting which is obedience to the wishes of Almighty Allah.

    Badmus gave this  charge to the Muslims  in  his Eid el-Fitr  message to people of Nigeria to mark the end of this year’s Ramadan fast.

    In a statement  made available to the news men and signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs,Alh Dawood Ajetunmobi, Asiwaju said: It is important that Muslims recognize the positive roles of spiritual renewal, compassion and charity that the month of Ramadan symbolizes.

    While congratulating Nigerian Muslims  for witnessing the celebration, Badmus also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the bailout given to the states  facing economic challenges in order to meet their financial obligations.

    He added that the gesture would go a long way to make lives more bearable for Nigerians.

     

  • Don’t forget Ramadan lessons —Ambode

    Don’t forget Ramadan lessons —Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday joined Muslims to mark the Eid-El-Fitri celebrations, just as he called on them to sustain the lessons of the Ramadan fast beyond the season.

    The governor, who spoke when he hosted scores of Muslims to a feast at the Lagos House, Alausa, urged them to imbibe the tenets of the season and ensure they reflect in their daily activities.

    “Let me use this medium to felicitate with our Muslim brothers and sisters on the completion of the year 2015 Ramadan. Ramadan has come and gone, but the lessons of the month remain and we should as worshippers sustain them in our everyday activity.

    “Let us put to use the  lessons of Ramadan. Let us remain peaceful and eschew vices by remaining steadfast in our journey to make Lagos State a better place for all of us.

    “We may differ in tongue and faith, but we all remain equal before our creator, the owner of heaven and earth.

    “It is my fervent prayer that the Almighty will continue to increase our wisdom and improve our health and wealth. May we witness many more celebrations”, the governor said.

    Earlier in her welcome address, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, expressed her appreciation for the support given to the present administration so far, just as she appealed for more cordial relationship being enjoyed in the state.

    “While I enjoin you all to feel relaxed and enjoy yourselves, please remember to continue to pray for peace, tranquility and prosperity of the state,”she said.

    She urged parents to inculcate moral and religious teachings in their children and support their families.

    “As the family is the bedrock of any society, let us all endeavour to focus on teaching our children in the way of Almighty Allah and support our husbands in all their endeavours”, she said.

    Highlights of the celebration included a quiz and dancing competition.

  • Imbibing the Ramadan spirit

    •This is what genuine Muslims must do even now that fasting is over

    The annual fasting observed by Muslims across the world ended yesterday. And today, Muslims all over the world mark the end of Ramadan fasting with the Eid-el-Fitri celebration. The festivity comes on the first day of the 10th month of Islamic lunar calendar, and has become one of two festivals of Islamic significance; the other being Eid-el-Kabir. After a month-long ascetic life and spiritual supplications to the Almighty, Eid is expected to usher in infinite bliss for devotees. Today is an occasion of gleefulness and thanksgiving. All good Muslims should take advantage of the day to vow never to go back to what Allah frowns at, and to show gratitude to Him for sparing their lives.

    Despite today’s air of indulgence, we call for modesty in celebration. We expect Muslims to avoid depraved conducts. Good Muslims should take advantage of the day to be sensitive to and share the feelings of those around them. That is why the lessons of the holy month must reflect in the way they relate with friends, non-Muslims inclusive.

    Muslims whose fast is based on imaan, sincerity, should truly expect reward, Ihtisaab, from Allah. Those that have imaan as thrust of their dealings with fellow beings will have their sins forgiven. Others will have to satisfactorily answer questions such as: was their fast performed with true belief and full surrender to Allah? Was it done because Allah imposed it on Muslims or for other selfish reasons? Have they gained anything from the month of Ramadan Were they positively inclined towards fellow beings? Have they overcome all their prior weaknesses and cruelty?

    We have no doubt that obedient Muslims, not killers and terrorists, like Boko Haram insurgents, despoiling the name of Allah, are assured of reward from Almighty Allah. Surprisingly, these fake Islamists hiding under the guise of the ’religion of peace’ to perpetuate evil have shown gross contempt for the holy month. The terrorists destroyed the usual tranquillity of unity and spiritual rebirth of the holy month through senseless bombing of innocent souls and outright destruction of properties.

    We wonder what has happened to the pious habit of Qur’an recitation, especially during Ramadan, and imbibing the lessons therein. The Boko Haram insurgents should realise the futility of their actions quickly. All human beings are expected to be their brother’s keeper and should cultivate and indulge in things that would make the community and the entire world one peaceful place for all to live in. We doubt whether the terrorists could, in all conscience, proclaim this. The suicide bombing of fellow beings before, during and after the month of Ramadan is barbaric.

    So, in the spirit of Ramadan, we call on the governments, institutions, the people and especially Boko Haram insurgents to have an attitudinal change that would not negate the commandments of Allah. What should be done now is to continue to practice and sustain the virtuous preaching learnt during Ramadan for the sake of all. The talk of restoring security in the country must start with adhering to the tenets of Allah by both Muslims and non-Muslims. This is realisable only if stakeholders in the nation’s project are honest with themselves as all Muslims professed during the Ramadan period.

    Moving our country forward entails being our brother’s keeper; and desisting from inflicting terror and evil on humanity. That is the greatest lesson that can be learnt from the just ended fasting.

  • Sales boom as Ramadan fast ends

    Sales boom as Ramadan fast ends

    As the Muslim fasting ends today, signalling the end of Ramadan and heralding the beginning of Eid-el–fitri celebrations, traders in major markets  across  Lagos metropolis are upbeat over prospects of increased patronage.

    Having experienced reduced sales because of lull in customer patronage occasioned by the Ramadan fast, traders are hopeful of increased activities in preparation for Eid-El –Fitri celebrations. The event comes up yearly at the end of the Muslim fast.

    At Idumota, Mile-12, Oyingbo,Oshodi among other markets in Lagos, traders are pleased with what they call “the Eid-El –Fitri rush” as they get helping hands from their children and relatives so as to cope with the rush.

  • Food vendors:‘our ordeal during the ramadan fast’

    Food vendors:‘our ordeal during the ramadan fast’

    As Ramadan fast ends, the experiences of  food vendors over the last one  month has been bad. According to them, there haven’t been sales since  Ramadan fast began. Ramadan which is a blessed month for the Muslims to fast and get closer to their God, by abstaining from food, drinks and some other activities, happened to be of disadvantage to food vendors across the Lagos metropolis.

    For Mrs Merian Biodun who owns a restaurant at Makinde Bus stop in Ayobo area of Lagos, she doesn’t make sales whenever Muslims were fasting “I do not sell much when Ramadan is on. I prepare half of what I used to prepare on a normal day and when it was time to break their fast, some of them wouldn’t come around instead they prefered to go home to break their fast with their families “.

    Mrs Muniratu Olushola, another restaurant owner at Idera, in Ipaja said sales are always low during Ramadan. “It is not that we did not make sales at all, but if we used to have twenty people buying from us on a normal day, during fasting period,  we have less than twelve. And the painful thing is that, this would go on for a whole month. It was indeed a great loss to us. If I should prepare the amount of food I normally use to prepare more than half will waste”.

    For Madam Joy of God’s Glorious restaurant, her major patronage comes from Okada riders who are mainly Muslims and have their park in front of her restaurant.  “My main customers are Muslim okada riders and they eat a lot. But while they fast, I cook my food in small quantity so that it doesn’t waste. Some of them patronise me when they break their  fast in the evenings, but they bought little quantity of food”.

    The story is same with Mrs Fatimat Adebola. “Ramadan period is not always a profitable period for my business because most of my customers are Muslims just like i am. Sometimes I won’t bother  to open my restaurant at all for a day or two because after waking up very early in the morning to cook for my family, I would go back to bed.  Business was dull throughout the fast period and it is a major challenge we have always had  to cope with when the fasting period comes.” she said.

  • Sallah: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays

    Sallah: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays

    The Federal Government on Tuesday declared Friday, July 17 and Monday, July 20 as public holidays to the mark the end of Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Abubakar Magaji, who announced this in Abuja, enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which include love, peace and sacrifice for the development of the nation.

    He also urged Nigerians to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its determination and sustained efforts to build a peaceful, united and virile nation.

    The permanent secretary appealed to all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the nation.

     

     

  • Ramadan Guide Have You Asked Yourself? 

    The above question is very critical in this sacred month. This is not just because Ramadan is a month of self rediscovery but also that of new resolutions for true Muslims. Who am I now? Without waiting to be asked, a good Muslim must be able to sincerely ask himself or herself that vital question. There are many reasons for this. Ramadan has become a transit period for most Muslims especially in Nigerian society. When Ramadan comes, such Muslims dust up their instruments of worship and pretend to be genuine Muslims. At least for the first few days in the sacred month Mosques are full of worshippers, regular and irregular. They come from all strata of the society to join other Muslims in observing congregational prayers especially Tarawih, in the Mosques. They endeavour to do away with drinking alcohol openly even as they discard fornication or adultery temporarily in the month. And when some of these pseudo Muslims do not find Ramadan interesting, they pretend to be playing along. Such people are easily recognizable by their uncultured attitudes in the sacred month. For instance, most of them do not wake up for ‘Sahur’ in the night. Neither do they involve their mental and physical beings in fasting. To them, abstaining from eating and drinking is enough. Thus, as long as they go about with empty stomach, fasting is on course. Such people are like self-deceptive students who believe in marking their own scripts after writing examinations. The question is: can they award themselves the needed certificates? If they can who will recognize such certificates?