By Francis Sadhere
As Muslims all over the world celebrate Ied al-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan, Muslim clerics in Delta State have reiterated the importance of peace in the nation.
Speaking to our correspondent after the morning prayers, the Chief Imam of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Mosque, Warri, Delta State, Alhaji Abdul’Aziz Bello called on all Muslims and non-Muslims to live in peace and harmony amongst themselves, noting that Islam is a religion of peace.
He urged all Muslim faithfuls to live according to the dictates of the holy Qur’an, adding that peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance should be the watchword for all religions in the world.
“Islam means peace and that is why each time you hear us say ‘Asalamu’aleiku’ it means peace be unto you. So you see, you cannot say peace be upon you to a brother and go and stab the same brother with a knife. So I am telling our brothers that we should be peaceful, just, upright, Godfearing and we should be steadfast in doing what is good to all humans and and even animals,” he said.
Alhaji Bello noted that one of the significance of Idel Fitri is to give God all the glory for saving their lives throughout the period of Ramadan, noting that the period of Ramadan was a period dedicated to God through self denial and separation of oneself from all worldly desires.
The Etsu Nupe of Warri and environs, Alhaji Zubeiru Mohammed Tajudeen on his part urged all Muslims and non-Muslim to live together as brothers and sisters, stressing that “even the Qur’an talks about living in peace with our neighbours.”
Alhaji Tajudeen while speaking to our correspondent also in Warri, said he is very excited that the Ramadan period was over as it signifies that all Muslims in the world have complied with the teachings of the Qur’an.
He added that Sallah period is a period of showing generosity to the less privileged in the society by way of giving alms to them.
“The Ramadan period is one of the pillars of Islam where Muslims all over the world dedicate their lives to Allah. This is the period of self examination where we check our standing with Allah. We all know that Islam is a religion of peace and I see no reason why we should not pursue peace. Today we are just coming from the mosque where we all pray for peace in this country. If there is peace in this country everybody will benefit from it,” the Etsu Nupe said.
On his part the Sarkin Hausawa in Warri, Alhaji Mohammed Bello also charged all Muslims in Warri and Nigeria as a whole to have love for one another, adding that the celebration of Edel Fitri was a very important celebration in the lives of all Muslims as they use the period to share love among themselves and the rest of the world.
Alhaji Bello who said that peace is very important for any nation to develop, called on all Muslim faithfuls to form the habit of preaching peace so that everybody will live in a peaceful and in happy environment that is devoid of crisis.
“As Muslim we owe it a duty to pray for peace in the whole world. All religions should learn to tolerate each other. And I would like all Christians and Muslims to pray for peace in this country and whole world,” Alhaji Bello said.
Another Muslim, Alhaji Abdulmajid AbdulKadir said Salah is day of merriment for the whole Muslims in the world, noting that though a lot of things have gone wrong, he hoped that the new administration of President Mohammadu Buhari would bring the needed peace to the country.
He advised the Boko Haram insurgents to sheath their swords and embrace peace, saying that he does not believe Boko Haram are Muslims because Muslims don’t go about killing innocent people.
Alhaji Abdulkadir said: “We pray that the new government will bring peace to the nation. We also pray that those who are chosen to advise those at the helm of affairs to be sincere and selfless in their duties. And for those who are causing a lot of problems and crisis in the north, we want to beg them to drop their arms for the sake of peace. As a Muslim you do not have the right to take a life.”
