Eid el-Fitr: No need to fight one another, Tinubu tells Nigerians
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday joined Muslim faithful all over the world to observe Eid el-Fitr prayers at Dodan Barracks in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The President, who was accompanied by top government functionaries, arrived the Eid praying ground at 10.02 a.m.
Tinubu, who spoke to the Muslim faithful through the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, called Muslims to be tolerant and empathetic towards one another.
“We should sustain the good behavior even though Ramadan is over. We have no business fighting each other. We should have religious harmony.
“The empathy and love that we showed during the Ramadan, we must continue. Ramadan has gone, good behavior is not gone.
“Let us give to the needy. Always show charity. May Almighty guide us and protect Nigeria,” the President said.
Earlier, leading the prayers moment after the arrival of the President, Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheik Sulaiman Abou Nolla said that Allah remained the greatest and there was no God apart from Allah.
Abou Nolla, who noted that Eid el-Fitr marked the end of Ramadan, said that fasting had great blessings.
According to him, though the major songs everywhere before the Ramadan was starvation and hunger as a result of the rising in prices of consumer goods and food items.
“Some few weeks before the commencement of this year’s Ramadan, the major song all over the place is hardship, starvation and hunger, moving from state to state, one local government to another.
“The fear and the concern among the people is how to survive but Allah in his infinite mercies, the Provider brought ease amidst hardship as He has promised us in the Holy Qur’an,” he said.
Noting that fasting was one of the five Pillars of Islam, the Imam said that the Month of Ramadan was the month of grace, mercies, forgiveness and acceptance of prayers.
According to him, Zakat is a mandatory injunction on every individual Muslim to enable the poor celebrate, saying Islam places a lot of emphasis on Zakat
Calling for unity among Nigerians, Abou Nolla said that Allah had directed that Muslims should not be divided among themselves.
He said that togetherness and unity in diversity remained key to national development.
He said that with sincerity of heart, collaboration and change of mindset, Nigeria could overcome all its challenges.
“Let us not forget our brothers and sister in Gaza and other trouble places, ” he added.
He called on governments across all levels to provide succour to the people, while also urging citizens to be disciplined, law-abiding and ensure peace and harmony in various communities.
Abou Nolla urged Muslims not to lose hope in Allah saying, “as a people don’t let us not lose hope in our nation. Let us believe in our nation. let us be more patriotic about our nation.”
He prayed God to continue to guide the President to make decisions that would benefit the people.
The Imam asked God to protect the President from harms.
He also prayed for Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Hamzat and all in positions of authorities.
He prayed for all Muslims, asking God to grant the country peace and tranquility.
Personalities at the Eid Prayer Ground include, Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fasholan and Minister of Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
Also present at the prayer ground are the Lagos Council of Traditional White cap chiefs, Tinubu Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Lagos Head of Service, Olanode Agoro among others.
