Independence Day: Muslim groups urge Nigerians to embrace prayer, unity to overcome challenges

As Nigeria marks its 61st Independence anniversary today, religious organisations in the country have urged Nigerians to seek solace in Allah and thanks Almighty Allah for the survival of the country as this will bring more blessings to the country.

The groups urged Nigerians and the government to renew their faith in the unity of purpose, peaceful coexistence and progress of the country.

In a statement released by the Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, Alhaji Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, rejoice with Nigerians home and abroad on the celebration of the 61st independence anniversary.

He said that the group salutes the fighting spirits of Nigerians in the face of daunting challenges in the socio-economic, political and technological spheres.

“ Let me make it abundantly clear that Islam as a religion has no room for terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, the ritual killing of human beings, extortion of any kind or any act of wickedness against another fellow human being especially the aged, women and children.”

The group noted that despite the abundance of human and material resources at people’s disposal, the country is wallowing in abject poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment due to a lack of a value system.

“Pointedly, we are calling for political solutions to all agitations from contending groups. We believe if there is justice devoid of pretense and deceits, we are stronger as a country than smaller units. We advise our President, General Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, as a father for all to call all leaders of the agitators, some opinion leaders and leading traditional rulers to a crucial meeting to fashion the best peaceful and meaningful way forward. This needs to be done as urgently as possible.

The Jama’at is equally worried over political developments in the country towards the build-up to the 2023 general elections, especially assassinations and attempted assassinations.

We call on political parties to resolve their differences through an internal resolution mechanism. Politics should be taken as service to the people and not as a business of seizing power to make money through do or die means.

Specifically, we advise that the electoral law under review should be looked at in transparent, reliable and beneficial ways. We join the call for the electronic transmission of election results in the interest of fair play and the best utilisation of technology.

The Jama’at noticed the spirited efforts of the government to tackle insecurity across the land. We believe the perpetrators of evil and crimes against humanity must be named, shamed and face the wrath of the law.

The Chief Missioner of Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society, NASFAT, Abdul-Azeez Onike, in his message urged Nigerians to believe and have the feeling that, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and the darkest hour is just before the dawn, in spite of the myriad of problems that the country is facing.

According to Onike, Muslims are enjoined to always hope for the better because otherwise, it is disbelief.

“ In the scripture; Qur’an 12:87, Allah says, ‘do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Verily only the unbelievers despair of Allah’s mercy. Likewise the Noble Prophet Muhammad (saw) was reported to have said, ‘When one of you calls upon Allah, let him hope for the greatest of things. Verily, nothing has any greatness over Allah’”

He further said that though things might not be rosy for Nigerians, it is however clear that the government is trying to ensure that the country gets out of the woods. “These can be seen from efforts at improving infrastructure, equipping the security forces, attracting investments and honour for the nation among its peers among others.

“Let’s remain prayerful, trust our leaders and come to terms with the fact that most nations are facing one challenge or the other. As we have seen in cultism, gun violence and fuel scarcity in major cities of the world.

“We are all leaders and must create a better environment in our own sphere of control. If we all do this, then we will begin to witness a turnaround of the situation of the nation. This is a responsibility we owe our nation as we celebrate the 61st independence anniversary, so we can create a better future for the generations coming after us”, he said.