The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi
Ambode, and the state House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, have
called on Muslims in the country to see Ramadan as a period to be
steadfast and prayerful, as well as a time to promote tolerance and
peaceful co-existence.
The governor and the Speaker made the
calls in their respective Ramadan messages to the people of the state
and Nigerians in general.
Ambode, in a statement on Monday by his
Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the commencement of Ramadan
should be
seen as an opportunity to learn self-restraint, sacrifice,
piety and love.
He said, “This is in line with the
admonition of the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2 verse 183, which says, ‘Fasting
is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that
you can learn self-restraint’.
“At this critical period of rebuilding
our nation and ensuring that the change we promised is delivered, the
lessons of Ramadan must permeate our actions and deeds in such a way
that each person must act as his brother’s keeper at all times.”
In a Ramadan message by his Chief Press
Secretary, Musbau Rasak, the Speaker enjoined Nigerians, especially
Muslims, to use the period to move closer to God, share love
irrespective of faith, and pray for the continued survival of the
Nigerian nation.
He said, “Although Nigeria is facing a
lot of challenges occasioned by the misrule of the past, there are signs
that things are and will get better soon.
“However, for us to achieve our dream,
we must all live together in peace and support the government. The
Ramadan period offers us the opportunity to achieve our aim through
divine guidance from God anchored on our prayers and supplication.”
He added that Muslims must allow fasting
to have positive impact on them, explaining that reading the Qur’an,
feeding the poor and observing other good deeds should be their
occupation during Ramadan.
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