Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has appealed to Nigerians to take advantage of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration as a reminder of what Nigeria needs to do to heal.
He made the submission in a personally signed statement on Monday where he congratulated Nigerians for witnessing another eid celebration.
He noted that the lessons of sacrifice, love and tolerance preached by the Eid-el-Kabir celebration should send a strong message to Nigerians on the need to heal from all forms of mistrust and embrace mutual respect and tolerance.
Atiku added that the frequent and unnecessary killings of innocent souls need to stop.
According to him, “the season is here with us again to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir and most importantly, give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives as individuals and families to celebrate this significant festival of sacrifice.”
“Eid-el-Kabir teaches and reminds us of the meaning of sacrifice, love and forbearance with God and in our relationships with one another.”
“As Muslims more especially, Eid-el-Kabir and the stories of Prophets Ibrahim and Ishmael (Peace and Blessings of Allah be with them) that accompany it requires that we take the whole of humanity as one nation.”
“The significance of the celebration today is rooted in peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and tolerance. These are the virtues that we, as Nigerians, need to imbibe as we seek to heal our country of all shades of mistrust.”
“According to the teachings of Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the slaughtering of animals in celebration of this festival is to evoke and reinforce the consciousness of God in all our deeds and wishes.”
“We would not be able to fully appreciate the love from God if we allow killing of the innocent souls and propagation of hateful rhetoric become a norm amongst us.”
“As I congratulate Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on this year’s Eid el-Kabir, may I remind you of our beloved Prophet’s saying that, “no nation is superior to the other. But the best amongst you is the one with the best piety to Allah.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that one of its Alpha Jets crashed in Zamfara State while on an operation against bandits.
The Air Force added that the incident occurred between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna States.
