EID EL KABIR: GOV IKPEAZU, ISLAMIC CLERICS PREACH LOVE, SACRIFICE AND TOLERANCE
REPORTERS: CHINEDU ANYASO, JOHN MADUAGWU & LAWRENCE NWOKEDI
Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has urged Muslims in the State to imbibe the lessons of Eid El Kabir, which are sacrifice forgiveness and love for one another.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Onyebuchi Ememanka,
Governor Ikpeazu re-stated the determination of his administration to deal decisively with those behind the spate of kidnapping and other forms of criminality in Umunneochi Local Government Area and its environs.
The assured all residents of the state of equal treatment, not minding tribe and religion.
The Governor wished all Muslims a peaceful Sallah celebration.
Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of Abia State, Sheikh Ali Ukiwo, wants Muslims to make tolerance their watch word on a daily basis.
Preaching in a Mosque at Bende Road, Umuahia to mark Eid El Kabir, Sheikh Ukiwo said such a disposition was in line with the teaching of Prophet Mohammed, who despite maltreatments tolerated others, which moved some observers to embrace the religion.
He enjoined the faithful to also be good to others, learn to forgive and always work towards the progress of others.
The Islamic cleric further urged Nigerians to be security conscious wherever they were and provide security agencies with useful information that would prevent attacks and save innocent people from being hurt or killed.
Similarly, the Chief Imam of Umuahia Central Mosque, Alhaji Aminu Lawal, wants Muslim faithful to use the period of Eid El Kabir to always show brotherly love to one another irrespective of religious beliefs.
Alhaji Lawal made this known shortly after the Eid prayer in Umuahia.
Alhaji Lawal, who spoke through an interpreter, urged the faithful to shun all forms of religious bigotry and embrace Allah’s teaching, which centered on love and peace among one another.
The Chairman Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Abia State chapter, Alhaji Suieman Ukandu, use the period to call for equity and justice among various ethnic groups in the country.
The Sariki Hausawa in Abia State, Alhaji Yaro Danladi, urged the faithful to also use the period Eid El Kabir to pray for peace and unity of the country as 2023 general elections was fast approaching.
Highlight of the prayer was the slaughtering of a ram by the Chief Imam, which signified sacrifice in faith to God by Prophet Ibrahim as well as the reversion of Hasya Queen Mba to Islamic religion.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
