Sen. Bola Tinubu
Muslim faithful were on Friday urged to always strive to conduct their daily lives in accordance with the clear and beneficial message of Eid.
Sen. Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections, gave the advice in a statement by his media spokesperson Mr Tunde Rahman, on Friday in Lagos, while extending his greetings to Muslim faithful and non-Muslim alike around the world as they celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir.
Describing the spate of attacks on innocent Nigerians as troubling, the former governor of Lagos State condemned it in its entirety, adding that Nigerians must take a stand against terror and injustice.
Said Tinubu: “These evils lie forever outside our faith. Those who perpetuate such inhumanity do so in opposition to Islam and all that it means.
“To be true Muslims is to adhere to the principles of peace, tolerance, justice, and charity.
“Our faith asks us to stand against those perpetrating evil and visiting untold misery on others. And we must remain forever obedient to the kind and life-affirming principles of our faith”.
The APC presidential flag bearer expressed regret that there were those who sought to bring the nation and Islam into disrepute through their destructive and violent actions, seeking to pit brother against brother, neighbour against neighbour, and religion against religion.
Stated he: “They want to break the peaceful order of society, but Allah has placed us here to build a better Nigeria by taking care and seeing all of its inhabitants as our brothers and sisters regardless of ethnicity, faith and region.
“This we shall do. And no amount of evil or terror from whatever quarter shall stop us from fulfilling what Allah has commanded us to do”.
He, therefore, urged the people to continue to believe in the excellent nation Nigeria could be and advised Nigerians to eschew violence and those who cause and sponsor it.
Tinubu also thanked Allah for His munificent blessings and abiding love for humankind and for assuring all that good would always triumph over its opposite.
He said that Eid reminded humanity to place faith in the compassion and wisdom of Allah and to be obedient to His instructions as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.
Noted he: “By his action, Prophet Ibrahim demonstrated true Islam and submission to Allah.
“Prophet Ibrahim understood that the ways and commands of Almighty Allah (SWT) are supremely more life giving and enlightening than the ways of man”.
Tinubu urged the people as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, to use the moment to rededicate themselves to greater adherence to the spiritually-enriching commands of Almighty Allah, advising that they must show the true spirit of Islam in their lives and not just on special holidays.
The former governor of Lagos state noted that the holidays were given as reminders to strive to become the people and nation they were meant to be.
He appealed that the poor and vulnerable in the society should not be forgotten, stressing that brotherly concern and love should be demonstrated towards them.
Admonished he: “Let us not forget the poor and vulnerable among us. Let us demonstrate brotherly concern, compassion and give succour to those unable to help themselves.
“This Eid, we beseech Almighty Allah to protect the weak, feed the poor and give us the courage and wisdom to subdue and defeat those who would seek to hurt the innocent and impair this nation.
“We pray for our gallant soldiers and other security agents who, daily, sacrifice themselves to confront violent evil.
“Let us also remember President Muhammadu Buhari, our governors and other leaders in our prayers that they may find the wisdom and fortitude to surmount the challenges facing this country that, together, we can enjoy the benefits of a better Nigeria”.
He therefore, prayed for a greater nation and society where the light of democracy, peace, prosperity and hope shined on for all of us and the darkness of poverty, violence and hatred was forever banished.
Prayed he: “We pray that Nigeria shall be faithful and remain true to its great calling and destiny.
“Once again, I wish Muslims and indeed all Nigerians a most memorable Eid-el-Kabir”.
