Jonathan, Mark, Others Hail Moslems

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday solicited the continued support and understanding of Nigerians towards his administration’s efforts at transforming the nation.

Jonathan made the appeal in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithfuls and Nigerians in general.

In the message, the President noted that Eid-El-Kabir is a festival of sacrifice that commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to the will of Allah.

Jonathan said that his administration’s efforts to transform the country would require that Nigerians make more sacrifices to build a better nation for present and future generations.

He, however, assured Nigerians that such sacrifices would not be in vain as his administration’s efforts to positively transform the nation would soon begin to yield fruits.

The president also said that the anticipated progress would be more readily achieved with peace and security in all parts of the country.

He, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to continue to work for the peace and stability of the nation.

The President conveyed greetings and felicitations to all Nigerians, especially Islamic faithfuls on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir celebrations.

He also congratulated all Nigerians who had undertaken the Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina this year and wished them Allah’s mercies as they travel back home.

He urged them to seize the opportunity of the Eid-El-Kabir holidays to reflect on how the ideals and virtues of peace, harmony and brotherly love, taught by Islam and other religions could be more harnessed in addressing challenges confronting the nation.

In his own message to moslems, Senate President David Mark, has called for dialogue and persuasion as a means of solving grievances rather than violence.

Mark made the call in Abuja last Saturday in a Sallah message to Muslim faithfuls on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir.

A statement signed by the Senate President’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Paul Mumeh, quoted Mark as saying: “the outright taking of another man’s life cannot be a solution to any problem.

“The ugly picture of occasional outburst by some radical groups, especially the violence orchestrated by the Boko Haram sect, is a challenge not just to the security operatives but to all citizens.

“No matter the grievances in a man’s mind, resorting to violence, arms struggle or outright taking of another man’s life cannot be and has never been a solution to any problem”, he said.

Mark urged  Moslems faithful not to allow the security challenges to prevent them from celebrating.

He also urged Muslims to pray for continued peace, unity and progress of the nation and face the current challenges with new hope and vision.

Also, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged Nigerian Moslems to renew their prayers for the country.

In his Sallah message yesterday in Benin, Oshiomhole congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah festival.

He said: “This is an occasion to rejoice with the Muslim Ummah and identify with them on the observance of a major religious festival, with a profound spiritual essence.

“While it is important to rejoice and celebrate with families, friends and community, the profound spiritual essence of Eid-el-Kabir must not be lost on Muslim faithfuls.

“Eid-el-Kabir should provide an opportunity to deepen faith in Allah. It is an occasion to renew the spirit of obeisance to the will of our creator in accordance with the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim Khaliullah.’’

According to him, Allah’s abiding faithfulness in His beloved Prophet Ibrahim reminds us that there is abundant reward in fidelity to His injunctions.

He said that the nation needed to be renewed and nourished with prayers and fervent spiritual intercessions in the light of its multifarious crises, some of which threaten the fabric of its stability.

The governor, therefore, enjoined the Muslim Ummah to pray for the country, saying: “I believe in the power of prayer and have faith in Allah’s incomparable majesty as a God that heals wounds, raises nations, unites people and punishes the unjust.”

Meanwhile, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor,  has urged Muslim leaders to manifest the teachings of sacrifice and love for their fellow countrymen as Islam demands.

Oritsejafor, in his Eid-El-Kabir message to Muslims, urged the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion to continue to preach peace and unity to their followers and display love toward one another.

The CAN President called on Islamic leaders in the country to use the occasion to re-orientate the minds through the preaching of tolerance and the fear of God to the militants.

He also urged members of the Boko Haram sect to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir to embrace permanent peace.