As the month of Ramadan ends today, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola have urged Muslims in the country to continue with the teaching of the Holy Month, which includes, compassion, empathy, peace, unity, charity, among others.
They gave the charge on Sunday after Eid Fitr Prayer held at Dodan Barracks Praying Ground, Obalende, Lagos, where they stressed that by upholding these values, Nigerians can foster a society where everyone can thrive and live a good life.
Speaking after the prayers, the Deputy Governor emphasized that the essence of Ramadan is Compassion, empathy, peaceful coexistence, among others, adding that the Holy Quran emphasized that fasting is for piety, worshiping God, and believing in the teaching of Almighty Allah.
Hamzat therefore urged Muslims to ensure that they extend these principles of Ramadan beyond the holy month, and carry forward and integrate into their daily life the valuable lessons learned during the Holy Month.
His words, “So the essence is we cannot now say because Ramadan is over, we should go back to our past life. It therefore behooves us to be compassionate and have empathy for fellow human beings so that we can all live a good life as Nigerians. The essence of fasting as stated in the Holy Quran is for piety, for us to worship God and to believe in all his commandments. In all His books, what he emphasizes most is compassion and empathy to fellow human beings.” Hazmat counselled.
In the same vein, Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), charged Nigerians to come together to build a better and greater Nigeria. He added that it is time for Nigerians to reconcile and stretch their hands of fellowship to one another, and focus on building a great country.
According to him, “As Nigerians, this is a time for us to build, not a time to break. This is a time to reconcile, not a time to reproach. This is a time for us to stretch our hands in fellowship to one another and focus on building the great country that Allah Almighty has provided for us.”
Fashola added that it is important for Muslims in the country to continue with the spirit of Ramadan in terms of charity, peace, gratitude, and prayer to Allah.
In his sermon, the Grand Chef Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Suleman Oluwatoyin Abu-Nolla noted that the month of Ramadan is a month of blessings, Prayers, forgiveness, reflection, and peace, adding that it is a month for charity and seeking the face of Allah.
He said that the holy month emphasized the principles of discipline and perseverance, stressing that life itself is full of a lot of challenges and perseverance and discipline are a quality of righteousness.
Sheikh Abu-Nolla urged Nigerians to continue in the spirit of perseverance beyond the Ramadan period to further enhance development and growth in the Nation. “It is important to know that the spirit of perseverance and unity and diverse cultural values is the key to our national development. Let us stand to the Principles of discipline, piety, charity, and righteousness beyond Ramadan, and let us continue to uphold honesty and strengthen our relationship with Allah,” the Chief Imam said.
