President of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), AbdulWahid AbdulRauf, has urged Muslims to use the beginning of the new Islamic year to strengthen their faith, promote peace and contribute positively to society.

AbdulRauf made the call in his address to mark the 1st of Muharram and the Islamic New Year 1448 AH. He described the new Hijrah year as an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on their lives, renew their commitment to Allah and strengthen their responsibilities towards their families and communities.

Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam, and it begins the Islamic calendar. AbdulRauf said the significance of the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah represents faith, sacrifice, patience, courage and trust in Allah.

He urged Muslims to move from disunity to brotherhood, selfishness to service and hopelessness to optimism, adding that the challenges facing Nigeria and the global Muslim community require the faithful to uphold the virtues of honesty, compassion, justice, knowledge and peaceful coexistence.

AbdulRauf urged members to support programmes that empower young people, strengthen families and increase charitable activities that benefit humanity, irrespective of religious, ethnic or social backgrounds.