Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has urged Muslim faithful to intervene through prayers in the current security challenges confronting Nigeria as Eid El-Fitr is celebrated globally.
The governor made the call on Monday in Jos in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham.
“The current security situation in the country, as well as other economic challenges, cannot be overcome unless Nigerians recognize that they are one people whose common destiny takes precedence over personal interest,” he said.
He felicitated the Muslim Ummah in Plateau and the country at large on the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting, saying that it was a period for reflection.
Read Also: Lalong Condemns Attack On Custodial Facility In Jos
He described the period as significant because it enabled the Muslims to not only commit their personal affairs to God, but also to ask God for intervention in the many challenges of the state and nation.
Lalong expressed optimism that the Ramadan period had provided opportunity for the Muslims to devote themselves to personal and corporate prayers, as well as self-purification for a better relationship with God and man.
He said the habit of praying and offering supplication should be sustained, adding that Nigerians should love one another, irrespective of religious, ethnic or other considerations.
The governor also called for more prayers for Plateau and Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections, for unity and tolerance by the electorate, as well as the political class.
He noted that their conduct and utterances were vital to the overall success of the elections.
He urged Nigerians to resist the ploy by criminals and crises merchants to use sentiments to instigate ethnoreligious intolerance and violence.
Also, an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdurrahim Mohammed, urged Muslims to continue with all their good deeds even after Ramadan as fasting does not end with the holy month.
Abdurrahim, who is the Chief Imam of Kubwa, Abuja, made the call in his Eidul Fitri sermon on Sunday.
He said that Ramadan had taught Muslim faithful to do well and abstain from vices, adding that it should continue even after the month of Ramadan.
“It is no doubt that Ramadan is the month of guidance which taught us truth, trust, patience, piety, goodness, mercy and good relationships.
“We also learnt to abstain from evil traits like lying, backbiting, betrayal, gossip, dispute, insult and bearing false witness.
“The end of Ramadan does not signify the end of time for good acts, and fasting does not end with completion of Ramadan. Fasting as an act of worship is continuous,” he said.
“Whoever fasts in Ramadan and follows it up with fasting of six days of Shawwal, it is like fasting for the whole year,” he said.
The cleric also called on the government to take more urgent steps to fix the various social challenges facing the country, while calling on Muslims not to relent in praying for the country.
“Nigeria is in an extreme state of poverty and insecurity.
“The government needs to do more towards addressing these challenges and we must intensify efforts in praying for Allah to bring lasting solutions to these challenges,” he said.