Amaechi, British PM Hail Muslims …As Kwande Urges Peaceful Co-Existence

Some Muslim leaders after observing the Eid-el fitre celebration in Port Harcourt, recently

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has called for love and national rebirth as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid el Kabir.
Amaechi made the call in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, wishing Nigerians peace and love as they join the Muslim world in this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
He said, “festivities like this offer us the opportunity to reflect on our lives, our country, our unity and our growth”
“As we celebrate this year’s ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, we should put our differences aside and strive to make this country a better place by working in love and unity.”
“The same way the Prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his first born son in obedience to Allah, let us also exhibit the willingness to work together and make personal and collective sacrifices towards building a better Nigeria.”
“We join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating today; and we wish you happy Eid el Kabir. May the blessings of Allah be with you all.”
In a related development, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has enjoined Muslim faithful to eschew war, destruction and rancour which are alien to the religion and do not represent the values espoused by Prophet Mohammed.
Governor Amaechi gave this injunction when a delegation of the Muslim community in the State led by Vice President General of the Supreme Council for Islam Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, the Governor described Prophet Mohammed as “an epitome of peace,” calling on Muslims to emulate his exemplary lifestyle, urging them to toe the path of peace and love even in the face of provocation.
Also, the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, yesterday felicitated with the Muslim community across the world, as they celebrate Eid el-Kabir.
Cameron, in a statement signed by the British High Commission’s Head of Political and Press Affairs, Mr Rob Fitzpatrick, in Abuja, urged Muslims to see the celebration as a period of selflessness and time to pray for those in need.
“I send my best wishes to Muslims in Britain and around the world, celebrating the holy festival of Eid el-Kabir. I hope you have a joyous and peaceful festival. Eid Mubarak! “At this time of year, as is so often the case, we will see Muslims of all ages and backgrounds putting others before themselves, giving to worthy causes and praying for those in need. “I commend Britain’s near three million Muslims for their charity, their selfless-sacrifice and their devotion to God,’’ he said.
The Minister said that his government was confident in Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs and Hindus in different parts of Britain.
Cameron, in the statement, also restated his government’s commitment to invest about 0.7 per cent of its gross national income on the “world’s poorest.
“As the year draws to an end, we are reminded of the incredible, and continuing contribution made by Britain’s Muslim communities.
“With a New Year comes renewed hope for the plight of Muslims and others who are suffering in our world.
In the same vain, The Chairman of the Northern Community in Rivers State, Alhaji Ali Kwande has called on Moslem faithful to remain peaceful, law abiding and dedicated to Allah as hey mark, the 2013 edition of Eld-el Kabir.
Kwande who spoke in a telephone interview with The Tide from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, commended the mutual co-existence between Moslems and Christians in Rivers State.
He said the Eld-el Kabir celebration was important as it provided an opportunity for sober reflection and rededication to the will of Allah.
Kwande commended the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for his development strides in Rivers State and his goodwill towards Moslems and the entire Northern Community in Rivers State.
Commenting on this year’s edition of the hajj, Alhaji Kwande, said the on-going Moslem Pilgrimage was peaceful and lauded the effort of the Chairman, Moslem Pilgrimage Board, Alhaji Sani Okiri in the Co-ordination  of Moslem pilgrims.
Also speaking in an interview with The Tide, the Deputy Imam of Izala Mosque, Yam Zoo, Port Harcourt, Alhaji Sanusi Adamu, said the Eid-el -Kabir celebration was significant to Moslems because it rekindles the agreement between Allah and prophet Ibrahim.
Commenting on the celebration, the Imam at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Niger Street Port Harcourt, said the event was a reminder of the need for Moslems to render total obedience to Allah, as admonished in the Koran.
In his remark, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakir, a worshipper at the NPA residence mosque, said “Moslems celebrate the event in recognition of the love between Allah and his prophets, starting from prophet Ibrahim to prophet Mohammed”.
Meanwhile, former military rulers Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar yesterday called on Nigerians to pray for sustained peace and stability of the country.
Speaking shortly after the prayers to mark Eid-el-Kabir at the Minna Central Mosque, the duo, in separate speeches, enjoined Nigerians to live in peace and love one another.
“We must respect the tenets of Islam which call for peace and I hope that each one of us will try to maintain peace and be our brother’s keeper’’, Abubakar said.
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger said the country needed peace and unity in any circumstance.
According to him, peace and stability will enable the country to attain its goal of sustained socio-economic development in all spheres of human endeavours.