By Muhyideen Jimoh
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday called on Nigerians to embrace love, tolerance, generosity and obedience to the rule of law as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
Tinubu made the call shortly after observing the two-rakat Eid prayer at the Dodan Barracks Eid Ground in Lagos, where he joined other Muslim faithful for the celebration.
“We thank God for all He has provided for us to see another year and another Eid-el-Kabir. We thank Allah for His mercy,” the president said.
He urged Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of the festival by promoting unity, compassion and peaceful coexistence across ethnic and religious lines.
“We must learn from the lessons of this festival. It is to show love to one another, no discrimination, no ethnicity, no hatred.
“We should share love and generosity with one another in a way that reflects the value of our country and the humanity in us,” Tinubu said.
The president stressed the need for tolerance and adherence to religious teachings and the rule of law as essential foundations for a peaceful society.
“It is essential that we be very tolerant, be obedient to the wish of Allah and obedient to the rule of law, which must guide our society,” he said.
Speaking on insecurity, Tinubu said no religion condones violence, banditry or the killing of innocent people.
“There is nowhere in the holy teaching that says you should engage in banditry. Nowhere should you kill another human being.
“The sacrifice we are talking about, even in the beginning of life where we take this from, a child was replaced with an animal. And that is what the value of life is all about,” the president said.
Earlier, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, urged Muslims to embrace sacrifice, generosity, unity and service to humanity as essential lessons of Eid-el-Kabir.
He said Eid-el-Kabir symbolises the obedience and sacrifice demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim when Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son, Ismail.
The Chief Imam called on Nigerians to reject tribalism, terrorism, hate speech and violence, stressing the need for unity, peace and mutual cooperation.
“As we celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, let us shun all acts of indiscipline, hate speech, violence and terrorism to ensure peaceful coexistence and progress of our dear nation Nigeria,” he said.
The cleric also offered prayers for President Tinubu, asking Allah to grant him wisdom, good health and guidance in leading the country towards peace and prosperity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, former Lagos governor, Raji Fashola, and other top government officials joined the president at the Eid prayer ground.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
