At Maolud Nabiyy, gov, Muslim groups urge peace, selflessness

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State as well as the Nasrul Lahil-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) and Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on religious leaders to exhibit peace, sacrifice, love and hospitality all times.

In their separate messages to mark this year’s celebration of Maolud Nabiyy, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) yesterday, they harped on peaceful co-existence.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mark Longyen, the governor implored Plateau people to pray for the success of the 2019 general elections.

The celebration was serene in Jos. The capital city, in recent times, had been a hotbed of crises.

Islamic scholars were on hand to deliver messages on the occasion.

According to the Chief Missioner of NASFAT, Imam Mahroof Abdulazeez Onike, the period called for sober reflection on the life of the celebrant by Muslim Ummah.

He said: “The Prophet spent his entire life preaching peace. The Maolud Nabiyy celebration is one of best times for Muslims to look at the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and imbibe his lifestyle. The Prophet never got involved in violence, terrorism, bigotry and anything that was detrimental to peaceful co-existence.

“His life was full of mercy, hence the Creator described the Prophet as the best example to mankind. He lived all his life in the midst of Jews, Christians and pagans, and none of them could claim he was partial in his rulings.”

The cleric implored political leaders and the aspiring ones to be lawful and eschew hate speeches.

He reminded politicians that they would be answerable to the Maker on their deeds, adding that the Rwandan genocide was largely fuelled by unguarded remarks by well-placed individuals and citizens.

Onike therefore urged the candidates for the upcoming polls to play by the rule and desist from anything that could instigate bloodshed.

He challenged the Federal Government on a law to check inflammatory comments.

On his part, the Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, called on the political class to prioritise the plight of poor Nigerians and shed off the toga of selfishness.

His words: “Problems like epileptic power supply, sub-standard public health facilities, bad roads, poverty and desertification of qualitative education are what our politicians should be addressing. 2019 should not be about stealing our common patrimony.”

“Politicians should eschew bitterness, greed and selfishness. We urge Nigerians to ignore flamboyant political players. This is the time to choose leaders who possess some of the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in terms of transparency, integrity, simplicity and trustworthiness.”