Expectations Of Ramadan

Last Saturday, the leader of the Islamic
faith in Nigeria and the Sultan of
Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, announced the commencement of the 2014 annual Ramadan fasting. He also admonished Moslems to use the 30 days fast to pray for the peace, security and unity of Nigeria even as they show love to one another especially, by giving to those in need.
Abubakar regretted that Boko Haram members have continued to unleash senseless bloodletting in some States in the North. That they are maiming and killing innocent Nigerians and destroying property worth billions of Naira, in the name of Allah. He urged the misguided elements to retrace their steps and use the Ramadan fast to repent from their evil ways.
In their separate goodwill messages, President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and House Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal also called on Moslems to pray for the restoration of peace and unity of Nigeria, and urged the well to do in the society to extend their hands of fellowship to those who do not have.
For Moslems, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest. During the period, more than one billion Moslems worldwide are expected to spend the daylight hours to fast, pray and dedicate themselves to deep but sombre reflection and obedience to the commandments of Allah.
Ramadan is a time to focus on the words of Allah and to practice self-sacrifice. Ramadan is much more than foregoing food and drink. Moslems are to use the period to re-evaluate their lives in the light of Islamic teachings, make peace with those who have wronged them, strengthen ties with family and friends, as well as do away with bad habits among others.
Ramadan commands Moslems not only to refrain from food and drinks, but also from evil actions, thoughts and words. In fact, Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one’s self on the worship of Allah.
Coming at a time when strange things are happening in Nigeria, Moslems should use this time to pray for  peaceful co-existence and mutual concord, the time is apt for Moslems to support the prayers of Christians and raise Nigeria to Allah with a view to actualising development and bringing insurgency to a quick end.
If the Boko Haram insurgents are truly Moslems as they claim and believe in the Koran and the commandments of Allah, Ramadan should make them heed God’s commands and have a change of heart. They must enmesh their body and soul in complete submission and respect for the sanctity of life, which the Holy Book decrees.
Indeed, attacks on churches and killing of innocent Christians near Chibok in Borno State last Sunday, and another attack on a market in Maiduguri last Tuesday, few hours after the commencement of Ramadan was nothing short of a sacrilege and a deliberate disobidience to Allah.
While we expect people to be vigilant at all times and report every suspicious movements to security agencies, we implore the security operatives to ensure that Moslems who are observing this religious exercise are protected from all harm.
We are pleased to salute and encourage our Moslem brothers and sisters on this spiritual journey. We expect every faithful to truly study and understand the Koran and not be misled by any member that may be acting in error or baseless hatred.
Like we have advised Christians to go beyond spiritual rites, Moslems too must make the tenets of Ramadan their covetted life-style. This will not only honour Allah, but build peace among people, especially when viewed from the understanding that Islam means peace.