By Kamil Opeyemi
President-elect Bola Tinubu has congratulated Muslim faithfuls nationwide over the begining of sacred month, Ramadan.
Tinubu in a statement personally signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday reminded Muslims the importance of the holy month.
While urging Muslim faithfuls to explore the spirit and true meaning behind the holy month, the former Lagos state governor noted that Ramadan is more than abstention from food and drink from dawn to dusk.
“As we begin this year’s Ramadan, I bring warm greetings and congratulations to all Muslims who have received the grace of Almighty Allah to witness this holy month,” the statement read
“Ramadan is more than a month of fasting. We fast to strengthen our relationship and our appreciation of Allah. We fast to make ourselves better servants of both Allah and our fellow man.
“However, this month is more than abstention from food and drink from dawn to dusk. It must entail imbibing the spirit and true meaning behind the holy month. We must keep hold of the excellent and wonderful things the holy month of Ramadan signifies.
“As we embark on fasting and spiritual reflection, let us proceed, imbued with the spirit of sacrifice, self – discipline, goodwill, justice, tolerance, mercy, compassion and generousity that lie at the heart of Islam.”
He tasked them to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) who’s a good example of humility, forgiveness, and service to others while he was alive.
“Let us move in this way that we may make of ourselves a better people and nation in which all people, Muslim and non-Muslim, may live in trust, peace and justice as Allah would have it be.
“As we engage in supplications to Allah, let us also remember our country and leaders in our prayers.”
He urged Nigerians to remember that the country’s diversity is for a purpose and “pray that we all work to strengthen it.
“We must join hands to bring progress in Nigeria by praying for unity and progress. The lessons of the holy month of Ramadan point to the success of unity, not the failure of division.
“May this Ramadan bring us all closer to Allah. May our fasting and prayers be accepted. May this holy month be a time of peace, unity, and harmony in Nigeria and for all humanity.”