Clerics urge Muslims to be good ambassadors of Islam

As the celebration of Eid-el-fitr continues today, the Chief Missioner, Nasrul-Lahi-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), World headquarters, Imam Morufu Onike Abdul-Azeez; Chief Imam of Anu Oluwapo, Orile, Oshodi, Lagos, Ustaz Taofeek Yusuf Eniafe; and former President of Jama-at-ul Islamiyya of Nigeria and Overseas, Alhaji Fasasi Gbagba, have joined other well meaning Nigerians to congratulate the Muslim Ummah.

In his message, Abdul-Azeez charged the government to ensure that lives and properties of Nigerians are secure, even as he called on the Muslim community to support the government in its effort to restore sanity, peace and tranquility in the country.

He enjoined Muslims to be good ambassadors of Islam wherever they are, by their deeds and good conduct, which according to him were the salient points they were taught during the period.

Abdul-Azeez said: “During the period of Ramadan, we were taught about sincerity, faithfulness, abstaining from adultery and alcohol, among others. If we imbibe these virtues and pray for our country, then Nigeria will be a better place for us all. So, I want our Muslim brothers and sisters to continue to practise these virtues even after the Ramadan.”

On his part, Eniafe, while thanking God for seeing them through the period of Ramadan, urged Muslims to learn from the teachings and lessons of the period, stressing that if they put into practise all the lessons, the conduct of every adherent would never be the same again.

“Now that we have finished the month, the teachings and lessons should reflect in our attitude and conduct, so that we can continue to use it in our interaction with other people who are not Muslims.

“The month is seen as a transformation period and therefore, we should be able to maintain that newness of life till the next Ramadan period. I want them to forget the past and forge ahead with the new life, so that the world will know that Islam is very sweet,” the Chief Imam stated.

He reminded those in power that every human being is equal before God and urged them to do things that would affect Nigerians positively, saying the “government should see the masses as part of their families and not disown us. If they can see us as one of their families, they will give us all our rights. And we will be able to perform our duties by paying our taxes.”

Gbagba, who noted that the election is around the corner, charged Muslims to obtain their PVCs and ensure that they vote credible Nigerians in the 2019 general elections, adding: “My message to Muslims at this time is that as the election for 2019 is coming, they should behave as true Muslims. They should not engage in activities that would create unpleasant situations in the country. They should shine their eyes and ensure that they vote credible Nigerians and not those that would dump us.”

Gbagba, while congratulating Muslims, said: “During the fasting period, we learnt so much and God Himself had said that all what we left behind during the Ramadan period, we should not go back to them again. Allah, therefore, is expecting us to adjust and follow the true position of what we’ve been doing for the past 30 days. We should not deviate from them at any time, but be very strict in them and help the poor, as well as give alms to the needy.”