Ramadan: MURIC pleads state pardon for prisoners
Is-haq Akintola
Leveraging on the season of Ramadan as the divinely acknowledged month of mercy, The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to the Federal and State governments to grant state pardon to prisoners including the 54 soldiers who are presently serving ten-year jail term ostensibly for refusing to fight Boko Haram insurgents.
Director, MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in his Ramadan message said the president should allow the three qualities of Ramadan (blessing, forgiveness and freedom) to reflect fully in his actions and utterances during this Ramadan, particularly regarding the case of the 54 soldiers.
He quoted the holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to have said: “The beginning of Ramadan is a blessing, its middle is forgiveness while its end is freedom”.
“We also appeal to state governors and chief justices to seize the opportunity of this month of mercy to visit prisons and set large numbers of prisoners free. In particular, we call for freedom for all female prisoners, no matter their religious leaning. Islam has special regard for the womenfolk. They have no business being in prisons.
“This is one of the steps which our leaders must take to secure istijaabah (Allah’s positive response to prayers). It will show that we as Nigerians confess our sins before Allah. We are showing remorse, asking for forgiveness. We are forgiving those who actually offended us collectively as well as our perceived offenders. Perchance Allah will close the doors of our country’s travails and open the doors of peace, blessings and abundant prosperity for our country. Nigeria will be great again,” he said.
Akintola said, “There is no gainsaying that Nigeria is in dire need of prayers today. We are plagued with the problems of insecurity, insurgency, militancy and separatist propensities. Our leaders always ask religious leaders to pray for the country. Our Imams are praying. Our pastors are also praying. But the best assurance that Allah will answer this country’s prayers is for our leaders to show remorse and seek Allah’s forgiveness for our collective trespasses. So what better way is there to seek Allah’s forgiveness than by first forgiving our own perceived offenders?”
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2 Comments
Although i am a serious born again christian, i think the professor has made very important points here. The central message of God to His people is based on Forgiveness, Peace, Obedience and Mercy. His blessing comes when we manifest these qualities in our character. We must forgive those who offend us and we hope the President will receive the right council and pardon these offenders.
But Prof, in the closing part of your write up, you made one very difficult request and i quote “Our Imams are praying. Our Pastors are praying. But the best assurance that Allah ( and i am sure you mean the almighty God here) will answer this country”s prayers is for our leaders to show remorse and seek Allah”s (God”s) forgiveness for our collective trespasses. This is the major problem. These leaders are proud and unforgiving. They exercise power even more than God Himself. They have and feel no remorse for all their numerous sins. Only a humble person will do what our Lord Jesus Christ preached in the book of Luke 6:28-29 in a sermon titled LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.and i quote …. bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (29) If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak,do not withhold your tunic as well.” These leaders are not capable of taking any nonesense, so called and that is why they can not heed to your request Prof. They believe they are saints and they have done no wrong and that is why they have the temerity to judge others when they have a baggage of sins. Until they acknowledge their sins and show remorse, they will continue to lead us astray.1John chapter 1: 8-10 says (8) if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.(9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins , and to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness. (10) If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us”. Only a humble person will confess his/her sins and seek God”s forgiveness but these our leaders will not because they are proud but behold, how are the mighty fallen for pride goes before a fall. They should humble themselves and confess their sins and seek God”s forgiveness, not only for themselves but for the whole nation so that God will forgive us and bless our nation again 2Chronicles 7:14 (a must read) All quotes are from the Holy Bible.
Thank you Prof. for bringing out the Spirit of God which He has given me through our Lord Jesus Christ, the true personification of forgiveness, mercy, peace and blessing. Nigeria will be great again. Let everyone who knows how to do GOOD do it now. Wishing you a rewarding Ramadan Season Professor Akintola.
The professor has not appealed to his brothers to release more than 200 of our girls they kidnapped and defiling.
We will review and take appropriate action.