From Mohammed Muktar Umar, Bauchi

As Nigerian Muslim faithful celebrate this year’s Eid-el Kabir festival, they have been urged to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, humility and respect for one another.

This was contained in the goodwill message by Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, to Muslim faithful in the state to mark the 2021 Eid-el Kabir festival, adding that they We should also use the occasion to strengthen existing interpersonal relationships and create new ones.

He called on the faithful to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s submission to the will of Allah when he answered the divine call to sacrifice his only son, Prophet Isma’il, declaring that, that was the highest spiritual sacrifice ever made in observance of divine injunction.

“As we all know, the Eid-el-Kabir is celebrated annually in commemoration of the great sacrifice and total submission of Prophet Abraham (AS) to the will of Allah when he answered the Divine call to sacrifice his only son, Prophet Isma’il.

“This indeed is the highest spiritual sacrifice that has ever been made in observance of divine injunction. It is therefore worthy of emulation, especially by the Muslim Umma. 

“The   occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir should be used to reflect on how we have fared morally and spiritually during the last one year so as to take corrective measures where necessary, for us  to be amongst the believers who will enjoy the mercies of Allah (SWT) in the hereafter,” Governor Mohammed stated.

The governor stated that as commanded by the Holy Qur’an, Muslims should give in charity out of what Allah bestowed on them, adding that they should, however, do so moderately and also pray for peace in the state

“The religion of Islam propagates total submission to the will of Allah (SWT) and peaceful co-existence amongst the Muslim Ummah and with adherents of other faiths.

“The Holy Qur’an has also commanded all Muslims to give something (in charity) out of the treasure which Allah has bestowed on them. This should be done without consideration for religious, ethnic or political differences.

“We should also use the Eid-el Kabir occasion to strengthen the existing interpersonal relationships and create new ones. There is also the need for us to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, humility and respect for one another. 

“We should pray for the prevailing peace in the State to be sustained   and for adequate rainfall for us to  have a bumper harvest  during this farming season.”

Governor Mohammed reiterated his administration’s commitment to continue to serve the people of state with a view to taking the state to greater heights.

He stated that his administration was making its modest efforts to infrastructural development, education, health, youth empowerment and agriculture, assuring that, “we will continue to pursue developmental projects which have direct bearings on the lives of our people.”

The governor further stated that his administration was not unmindful of the economic hardship being experienced by the generality of the people, which he submitted was a global problem which had its origin in the COVID-19 pandemic since last year. 

“I want to appeal to you to bear with the situation which is temporary.  As responsive government, we will continue to render palliative measures with a view to cushioning the effects of the   hardship.  

“I will, however, appeal to you to make some sacrifices to ensure that we overcome the hardship.  As the Covid-19 pandemic is still very much around, we should continue to observe the non-pharmaceutical protocols of using face masks, social distancing and washing our hands as prescribed by health experts,” he admonished.