Ramadan: “Use the Holy Month to Exhibit the Best Virtues That Islam Teaches.” Sultan, Buhari, and Lawan urge Muslims
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, President Muhammadu Buhari, and Senate President Ahmad Lawan have urged Muslims across the country to use the holy month of Ramadan to exhibit the best virtues that Islam teaches. NewsReport gathered.
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The religious and political leaders spoke yesterday as the Sultan announced today as the first day of fasting in Ramadan 1444 AH, following the sighting of the moon last night.
In a nationwide broadcast from his palace in Sokoto, Sultan Abubakar said: “In accordance with Islamic law, today, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, marks the end of Sha’aban. Based on the reliable reports on moonsighting that were received from Muslim leaders across the country, which were duly verified and authenticated by us, the states, and the national moonsighting committee, March 23, 2023 becomes the first day of Ramadan 1444 AH.
“Therefore, I call on all Muslim brothers and sisters to commence fasting accordingly.”
“I implore the Muslim Ummah to devote ourselves fully to the worship of Allah and pray fervently for the blessings of Allah for our country and leaders.”
The Sultan advised the Muslim Ummah to live peacefully with fellow Nigerians, irrespective of religious differences, and urged wealthy Muslims to assist the less fortunate during the holy month.
“I wish us a successful Ramadan,” he said.
Also, President Buhari advised Muslims to use the fasting season “to project the best and finest virtues of Islam by personal conduct and not precept”.
“Let us use this opportunity to put the best teachings of Islam into practice, such as kindness and the love of humanity,” he said.
In a statement last night by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari said: “This is an occasion for deep reflection, greater fear of Allah, and avoidance of all evils that harm humanity.”
In a goodwill message by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, yesterday in Abuja, Lawan said: “I send special greetings to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria as we enter the holy month of Ramadan.”
“We thank Allah for preserving us to again be part of this annual rite of sacrifice, purification, and supplication.
“Ramadan is a glorious opportunity for the Islamic faithful to thank Allah for His mercies on us as individuals and as a nation and to further seek His guidance and blessings.”
“As we seek our merciful creator’s face, we should also remember the less privileged around us and show them compassion, as commanded by Allah, for a practical demonstration of our faith and for the good of society.
“This period of Ramadan has met us in Nigeria at a critical time. I do not see it as a mere coincidence that it falls within our political transition period.
“Let’s use the opportunity to thank Almighty Allah for the successes that we have so far recorded in the conduct of the general election and to pray for a peaceful transition of power at the national and sub-national levels in the coming months.
“We have made some good progress in our political voyage and are learning well to deal with the usual challenges that those who have gone further than us in the journey have also encountered. For this reason, we have ample reasons to be thankful to Allah.