The President of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulrauf, has urged Muslims to uphold the values of peace, sacrifice, compassion and unity as they celebrate Eid al-Adha.

In a statement released on Monday ahead of the celebration, Abdulrauf congratulated Nigerian Muslims and Muslims across the world, describing Eid al-Adha as a period of prayer, reflection and charity.

According to him, the festival reminds Muslims of the importance of faith, sacrifice and caring for the less privileged in society.

He said members of NASFAT marked the occasion by distributing rams and cash gifts to different communities within and outside Nigeria to support families during the festive period.

Abdulrauf also praised the commitment of Muslim pilgrims currently participating in the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

He noted that more than two million Muslims from different parts of the world were taking part in the pilgrimage, which he described as a sacred gathering that unites Muslims regardless of race, nationality or social status.

The NASFAT president said the organisation’s travel agency, Tafsan Tours and Travel Limited, had continued to provide services to Muslim pilgrims
and remained a reference point in Hajj operations.

He prayed for the pilgrims to return safely and wished them “Hajj Mabroor,” a term used to describe an accepted pilgrimage.

Speaking on the role of Muslims in national development, Abdulrauf said Nigerian Muslims continued to contribute significantly to the growth of the country through their involvement in different sectors of the economy.

He said Muslims were making impacts in medicine, technology, education, public service, business and the creative industry.

According to him, Muslims remain an important part of Nigerian society and contribute to strengthening communities across the country.

The NASFAT president, however, expressed concern over insecurity and economic hardship affecting many Nigerians.

He said this year’s Eid celebration was coming at a difficult period, with many communities facing attacks, kidnappings and killings.

Abdulrauf called for peace and dialogue to address the security challenges confronting the country.

Beyond Nigeria, he also expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world, including Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine.

He lamented the suffering of innocent civilians caught in wars and conflicts, especially women and children who had lost family members, homes and livelihoods.

The NASFAT president said the organisation would continue to advocate peace, dialogue and humanitarian support for victims of conflicts.

On the crisis in Gaza, Abdulrauf said NASFAT supported efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis through dialogue and peaceful negotiations.

He added that the organisation believed a two-state solution remained the best path towards lasting peace in the region.

He also called for peaceful resolutions to the conflicts in Sudan and other troubled regions across the world.

Abdulrauf further urged the international community to continue protecting vulnerable communities facing persecution and violence.

He mentioned the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and the Uyghur Muslims in China as among groups facing serious challenges and deserving global support and protection.

The NASFAT president appealed to Muslims and Nigerians generally to use the Eid period to strengthen relationships, promote tolerance and show kindness to one another.

“In the spirit of Eid al-Adha, let us renew our commitment to compassion, empathy and mutual respect,” he said.

He also wished Nigerian pilgrims a safe return home after the Hajj pilgrimage and congratulated Muslims worldwide on the Eid celebration.

“To all Muslims across the globe, we wish you a blessed and meaningful celebration. Eid Mubarak,” Abdulrauf stated.