EID-EL-FITRI: MUSLIM CLERICS EMPHASIZE ON PEACE AND UNITY

Muslim faithful in the country have been urged to use the period of Eid el fitri to pray for the peace, unity and progress of the nation. The Chief Imam of Umuahia central Mosque, Alhaji Mustapha Goni, made this known during the Eid prayer at Umuahia Township Stadium in Abia state. Speaking through an interpreter Alhaji Goni noted that for relative peace and progress to exist in the country Nigerians must learn to love one another irrespective of religious or tribal differences. He urged Muslim faithful to always imbibe the teachings and lessons of holy prophet Mohammad which is centered on love and peace among one another.

Also, the Sarikin Hausawa of Abia state Alhaji Yaro Danladi called on Nigerians to always embrace peace and shun violence, stating that for the country to progress all hands must be on deck. Over one thousand Muslim faithful participated in the Eid Prayer

Similarly, the Chief Imam of Islamic Central Mosque Uwani, Enugu,  Mallam Zurgailami Yushau, advised Muslims to live selflessly by extending gifts to people in need. He prayed for Allah’s intervention in the problems confronting the nation and appealed to all Nigerians irrespective of religion to live in peace and harmony.

In an interview, two Muslim faithful, Mallam Ali Ahmed Abubakar and Alhaji Idris Ado, encouraged fellow Muslims to remain law abiding and put lessons from the Ramadan fast into practice always.

Also at 82 Division Nigerian Army Mosque Enugu, the Chief Imam, Lieutenant Cornel Tahir Abubakar, urged Nigerians to live in peace and unity regardless of tribe or religion. He was represented by Master Warrant Officer Ibrahim Abubakar, said the essence of the celebration was to show gratitude to Allah for successful completion of the Ramadan fast. The Chief Imam called on Muslim faithful to use the period to extend love to the needy in the society. Some of the Muslim faithful interviewed thanked Allah for being alive and participating in this year’s celebration.

Similarly, Muslims in Anambra state joined their counterparts all over the world to celebrate eid-el fitri.

At exactly 9 o’clock in morning, Muslims faithful were seen gathering at their mosque in Onitsha to observe the Eid prayers. In a sermon the chief Imam of 302 Military Cantonment Onitsha, Leutenant Ali -Al Gurawy Ismali, charged Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan in their daily lives. He said Ramadan taught Muslims to imbibe the spirit of love, fairness, patience, justice and tolerance.

Meanwhile, there have been divergent experiences on the level of activities in some motor parks across Enugu metropolis as the Muslim faithful celebrate the Eid-El-fitri. At New Market, it was a beehive of activities at a transport Company, which plies Enugu to Onitsha. The dispatch manager of the company, Mr. Ochendo Ekenibe, said the company experienced influx of passengers and had loaded more vehicles when compared to ordinary days.

However, the story was different at another transport Company which plies Enugu to Awka. The Park supervisor, Mr. Joseph Onah explained that the holiday was impacting negatively on their business.

Meanwhile, two passengers interviewed, Felix Eze and James Mark, said their traveling was only a coincidence and had nothing to do with the public holiday or the celebration.

Radio Nigeria observed that most Motor Parks visited were devoid of the usual hustle and bustle associated with them.

LAWRENCE NWOKEDI, EDIT AJAH, SARAH CHINWENITE, ENUMA ONYECHI AND CHINWE UGWUANYI