‘Ramadan has gone, but righteous deeds remain’

Muslims across the country have been urged to continue to exhibit good characters and uphold their spiritual commitments after Ramadan.

The Muslim Public Affairs Center (MPAC), the Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC), and The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), in their Eid el Fitri messages, urged the faithful not to go back to the old bad ways after Ramadan.

They also enjoined the leadership of Nigeria to exhibit love in order to bind the nation together in peace and progress.

The Manager, Public Affairs, MPAC, Abdulwarees Sholanke, who described Eid ul-Fitr as the festival of fast-breaking and the feast that concludes the month of fasting, said, “The holiday is a time for friendship and goodwill, a time for forgiveness and making amends and also a time of great joy, where children, communities and families come together and celebrate.”

He said the religion of Islam preaches respect for humanity, encourages universal brotherhood and peace and inspires the rest of the world to be whole-heartedly devoted to God Almighty alone. Eid ul-Fitr is a festival that puts forward these same teachings and celebrates them.

“MPAC, therefore, calls upon Nigerian Muslims to use this special occasion as an opportunity for being good role models in our society, in accordance with the prophetic model; care for the orphans and widows, to assist those afflicted by tragedy and help the less privileged in the society,” he stated.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, advocated the use of carrot and stick method as a panacea to the scourge of kidnapping ravaging several parts of Nigeria.

Akintola said security agencies should take the battle to the kidnappers while government should introduce welfare packages for the poor.

“Mr. President must give the marching order to the heads of all security outfits to eliminate all known kidnappers’ camps and hideouts. He must give them a deadline for this assignment. They are to perform or get sacked. We are aware that our securitymen have not been able to storm the kidnappers’ camps for fear of killing some of the victims, not because they are afraid of the kidnappers.” He said.

He however faulted the outgoing 8th National Assembly (NASS), which refused to expedite action on the release of money meant to purchase special weapons to enhance security nationwide.

He said: “Unfortunately Nigerians are victims of collective amnesia and it is only the government they are blaming today. They have forgotten the callous action of the NASS, which deprived the Federal Government of the funds needed to purchase weapons. What we are saying in essence is that those who are blaming the current administration for the security challenge facing Nigeria are themselves to blame. They are the real culprits.

“However, the way forward is to take a collective action, stop the blame game, brace up like real men and storm the kidnappers’ camps. ‘O to gee’.” He stated.

Amir (President) of Lagos State Area Unit of the society, Dr. Saheed Ashafa congratulated the entire Muslim Ummah for witnessing the end of Ramadan which he described as a month of uncommon favour and abundant blessings from Allah .
 
Ashafa urged Nigerians to continue the spirit of Ramadan which has transformed individuals positively during the entire holy month of fasting.

He said, “ we urge Nigerians to eschew all forms of vices and inhuman conducts to one another but the spirit of love, care and mercy the fasting period has inculcated in us”

The students leader who had on May 29 expressed the society’s message to the newly inaugurated political leaders across various levels of government in the country, advised them to sacrifice all forms of luxury but render impactful service to the benefit of the masses.