The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has called on Muslims to help one another during the month of Ramadan, especially the needy and underprivileged members of society.
The Customs boss made the appeal during the Al-Habibiyya Islamic Society (AIS) breaking of fast (Iftar) and daily feeding of about 2,500 fasting Muslims, the less privileged, and people of all faiths, which took place at the Society’s Mosque on Thursday evening in Abuja.
Adeniyi, who personally served meals to worshippers, commended the initiative by AIS, saying it is a reflection of Islamic teachings, which dwell extensively on caring for the less privileged.
He, however, called on rich and well-to-do individuals, religious and corporate organisations to emulate Al-Habibiyya’s laudable gesture and appreciate its ongoing charitable efforts, pledging continued support in fostering social welfare initiatives.
He said, “This is an injunction of Almighty Allah. This is what we should do during fasting, care for those who are less privileged through programmes like this. We should have more of these in different parts of the country because many people are fasting and wondering how they will break their fast. It is the reality of our times, and more Nigerians should be encouraged to undertake this noble cause in a disciplined manner.”
The CGC also commended Al-Habibiyya for the orderliness in the feeding programme, stressing the need for Nigerians to embrace discipline, orderliness, and structured planning in their day-to-day activities.
“There was a time in this country when we ran campaigns about doing things in an orderly fashion. We need to get back to that because it helps. Imagine how easy we handled over 2,000 people in this little space because it was properly planned,” Adeniyi added.
The National Chief Imam of AIS, Fuad Adeyemi, and Chairman, Al-Habibiyya Food Bank, Alhaji Faruq Suleiman, in their separate remarks with Tribune Online, said that the feeding programme was organised every Ramadan to support the downtrodden irrespective of their religious belief.
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