Eid-el-Kabir: Dogara sues for unity, tolerance

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has admonished the Muslim faithful to use the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah festival to promote unity, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and the spirit of sacrifice.

This is coming just as the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff appealed to Nigerians especially the Muslim faithful to continue to eschew violence and criminality but learn how to live in peace and harmony together.

In a statement to mark this year’s Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration, issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the Speaker, said Nigeria could only fulfil its great potentials as a nation if the citizens continue to foster unity, peace, security and stability as well as show greater respect and love for one another.

“This is a moment for sober reflections; I enjoin you to use the period to uphold the spiritual benefit of the celebration by extending a hand of friendship and solidarity across all divides and imbibing the spirit of sacrifice and obedience to the higher authority as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and upheld by Prophet Muhammed.

While wishing the Muslim Ummah a blessed and peaceful Eid-el-Kabir Sallah celebration, the Speaker reiterated his call for sustained prayers for the leadership of the country at all levels.

“This is an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for our nation; pray for our dear President for God’s guidance and good health and pray for all those in leadership positions so that God in his infinite mercy will continue to guide them as they steer the affairs of the country,” he stated.

On his part, the Deputy Speaker enjoined Nigerians, most especially the Muslims across the country to imbibe the spiritual lessons of the occasion.

He reminded them not to forget the Holy Prophet’s teachings of love, justice, fairness, peaceful co-existence with one another, honesty and tolerance in all their dealings with their Christian brothers and sisters.

He called on all Nigerians to set aside their political differences and rally round President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress in consolidating on the gains recorded so far by his administration in his fight against corruption and insurgency.

He however, urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the president for quick recovery so that he could deliver his promises to the people.