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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