Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, has urged Muslim faithful to guard against religious intolerance and work hard to promote unity and peaceful co-existence that will strengthen the cords among Nigerians.
Afuye, who spoke, yesterday, while distributing food items to Yoruba Muslims and Hausa residents of Shasha Market in Ikere-Ekiti in the spirit of Ramadan season, commended the Islamic adherents for their contributions to the nation’s development and spiritual growth.
He said that their lifestyles, unshaken believe in the philosophy of love and generosity (Zakat) had helped in fighting poverty among the citizens.
She stated that the country is currently thirsty for enduring peace to surmount its multifaceted crises, warning that no nation can progress under the tensed atmosphere of sectarian war.
Afuye stressed that Muslims embracing the lessons of tolerance, sacrifice, generosity and piety, contained in the Islamic injunction guiding Ramadan, would help in taming the pervasive corruption and pilfering of the country’s commonwealth by privileged individuals.
She said: “Let us use this opportunity to put the best teachings of Islam into practice, such as kindness and the love of humanity, regardless of faiths. Religious extremism has no place and recognition in the Holy Book of Qur’an.
“Ramadan, a spiritual concept of Prophet Mohammed (SWT), is an occasion for deep reflection and greater fear of Allah and avoidance of all evils that harm humanity.
“Ramadan is characterised by abstention from food and drinks from dawn to dusk, which brings both the rich and poor to share the experience of hunger together, thereby strengthening the bonds between haves and have-nots.”
“As you are about rounding off these 30 days fasting season, let us not forget that Ramadan is not only about abstention, but a reminder to refrain from all kinds of evil and transgressions that harm humanity.”
Imam of Nawarudeen Mosque and Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Islamic Faith, Ikere-Ekiti, Ahmed Adeniran, while applauding the deputy governor’s benevolence, prayed for the success of Biodun Oyebanji’s government.
“I want to appreciate the government for remembering us at this crucial time. The people won’t forget whatever the leaders have done while in the saddle of governance,” the cleric said.
