Benin city – The Chief Imam of Benin Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Enabulele has called on Muslim faithful to pray for the present Nigeria government to be able to take the nation to greater height.
Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele made the call during the Eid-el-Kabir prayera at the Muslims prayer ground in Ikpoba Slope, Benin City.
He said that loving the nation is part of the Muslim’s faith.
The Chief Imam who also called for prayers for peaceful co-existence among every Nigerian said that building the nation is a collective responsibility.
“It is not for the president alone; it is not for the governors alone or the House of Assembly members alone; It is a collective responsibility of all and Sundry.
“In any position you find yourself, try to do your job conscientiously so that with your contributions, we can move the nation to greater height,” he said.
Speaking about the insurgency in the North-East of Nigeria, Alhaji Enabulele said that though the federal government and the soldiers are fighting hard to bring back the Chibok girls, more prayers are still needed.
He however, Chided the leaders in the North-East, saying that they allowed the situation to get to its present level.
He said that if they had provided empowerment and education to the younger ones, they would not have taken up arms against the society.
“There is no part of this country God has not blessed with human and material resources.
“The government should put hands together with the traditional rulers to bring education and empowerment so that there can be peace, for without peace, there will be no development,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Imam of Benin Mosque, Ustaaz Erese Bashir Muhammad Habib called on Muslims to desist from acts and pursuits that could hinder them from making heaven.
Basher Muhammad Habib also called on Muslim faithful to desist from tribalism, alcoholism, fornication, saying that Allah defined them as ‘haram’.”
Vice-Chairman of Council for Islamic Affairs, His Royal Highness Bako Gabriel called on Muslims in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria to stop killing themselves and sheath their swords.
He said that there is no part of the Koran that says that one must kill to enter heaven.
“What it says is that one should always fight for the truth. When you see your brother doing wrong thing, correct him,” the Royal Highness said.
Comrade Mukhtar Yusuf Osagie, Chairman, Edo State Committee on Environment said the occasion was one to call on all Edolites to live in peaceful co-existence.
An Islamic leader in the state, Alhaji Suleiman Ojo said one significance of Eid-el-Kabir festival is the call for Muslims to emulate the selfless sacrifice of prophet Ibrahim who gave up his son to be sacrificed on the instruction of Allah.
