Ramadan: Preach peace, unity, tolerance, Etsu Nupe urges Islamic clerics

By Mohammed Baba Busu

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has urged Islamic clerics in the country to focus their Tafsir sermons during the ongoing Ramadan on peace, unity, tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.

The Etsu Nupe, who is the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, said this at a meeting with Islamic clerics in his Wadata Palace, Bida, on Tuesday.

Abubakar said that the Ramadan fast was an auspicious time to preach fervently for the sustainable peace, unity and socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria.

According to the royal father, the Ramadan period is also the time when Muslims globally intensify various acts of worship.

He said that Islamic preachers should conduct their activities, especially during the sermons, to abide by Islamic injunctions, and focus on those ordained by the glorious Qur’an and the teachings of the Holy Prophet.

Abubakar also cautioned preachers against provocative sermons capable of inciting public disturbance during and after the Ramadan, in the interest of peace.

“Religious preaching during this period should be targeted at maintaining harmonious relationship among the people and nothing should be done to divide the people.’’

He also urged Muslims to take advantage of this year’s Ramadan fast to offer special prayers for the newly elected, for God Almighty to guide them to deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy to the people.

The royal father said that Islam encouraged every citizen to pray for his/her leaders, noting that the success of the leadership of any nation is the success of all and sundry.

He said that the fasting period was a time for sober reflection which gave Muslims the opportunity to move closer to God and seek His face in supplication and prayers.

The traditional ruler said that, with the present situation of things in the country, there was need for Nigerians to seize the opportunity brought by the fasting to pray for unity and for peace to reign.

He said that the fasting period was not only for abstinence from food, drink and worldly pleasures, but a time to seek Allah’s power through prayers.

Abubakar urged his subjects to actively participate in the Tafsir, while restating his continued commitment to contribute to the growth of the kingdom, the state and Nigeria at large.

The royal father charged his subjects and Nigerians in general to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another, irrespective of their affiliations.

He also advised Muslims to avoid anything that could deny them the reward of Ramadan, urging them to abide by the teachings and tenets in the interest of peace and development.

Abubakar appealed to public-spirited and wealthy Nigerians to always assist the less privileged, to improve on their living standards.

(NAN)