Teeming Muslim faithful across Nigeria celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir festival with prayers and merrymaking, Wednesday.
The festival is typically marked by prayers, followed by the slaughter of rams and cows in commemoration of Prophet Ibraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son to show obedience to Allah.
Arriving from London on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu joined fellow Muslims for the Eid prayers at the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground, located at Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the Nigerian government.
President Tinubu recalled that Eid-el-Kabir comes as the end of religious activities spanning the first 10 days of the Islamic Month of Dhul Hijjah, enjoining Muslims to show mercy and compassion to fellow humans.
“There is no greater sense of duty ever recorded in history outside the ennobling example of Prophet Ibrahim in offering his only son Ismail as a sacrifice to Allah,” he said.
According to him, the best way to demonstrate this example is in how individuals conduct themselves in relation to their fellow citizens and in their duties to their country.
“We must imbibe and manifest those values inherent in Prophet Ibrahim’s life, namely; complete devotion to Allah, tolerance, patience, perseverance, selflessness, love and compassion,” he said.
“This season, let us endeavour to multiply good deeds with our kindness to our fellow Muslims and others by helping and supporting the weak and vulnerable in our communities. By so doing, we showcase the values and virtues of our faith.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday also felicitated with Nigerians on the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, seeking support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the “essence of the season which underscores our submission to the will of the Almighty God and the importance of sacrifice in our daily life should not be lost on us.”
The Senate President stated that since Tinubu’s inauguration as President on May 29, he has taken some bold steps that have been seen as being in the right direction.
Noting that the actions may be inconveniencing, he saluted the resilience of Nigerians in the face of the current challenges.
In a goodwill message, former President Muhammadu Buhari wished Nigerian Muslims a happy Eid and “to those on pilgrimage, Hajj Mabrur and a safe return home”.
