A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and renowned security expert, Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni has rejoiced with Muslim faithful for witnessing the termination of the 2020 Ramadan fast despite the challenges of Coronavirus and lockdown.
This was disclosed in a statement released and made available to newsmen by his media aide, Mallam Rasheed Abubakar on April 23, 2020.
Mumuni noted that this year’s Ramadan was a departure from what it used to be in the past given the emergency situation the world finds itself today, adding that it is however the will of Allah that cannot be challenged.
The one-time Lagos gubernatorial candidate under the platform of the defunct CPC said that this period of Eid-ul-Fitr symbolises perseverance, love and kindness, urging Muslims to extend the hands of fellowship to their brothers during the celebration.
According to him, “This is the period of Eid-ul-Fitr where Muslims celebrate the completion of the Ramadan fast. It is one of the special periods in Islam that comes with a lot of merriments and celebrations. I urge fellow Muslims to shun extravagance and take to moderation in their celebrations as Allah has commanded.
“Also, we should not forget our fellow brothers who are in dire need. Let’s reach out to them and make them feel the joy of this moment. This is one of the lessons the holy month of Ramadan has come to teach us. Let’s show love and care to the needy.
Mumuni, who is also the Aare Jagunmade of Lagos, reminds Muslims of the current existential threat facing the world by the name, Coronavirus, saying that the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations should not delude them of the reality on ground.
He urged Muslims not to lose their guard in the fight against the novel virus in the course of the celebration, while advising them to take to social distancing, sanitary practices and other precautionary measures outlined by health authorities.
“The apex Muslim body in Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) acting on scholarly advice has ruled that Nigerian Muslims should pray at their various homes due to the pandemic. Let’s follow the body as an authority. This is what Allah preached in the Qur’an.
“We should shun any religious gathering that can increase the spread of the virus at the moment. But if we must go out, adherence to the rules of social distancing, sanitary practices, and the use of face mask is key. This should also be followed as we visit the market to stock up for Eid”, he said.
The author of two fast-selling books on terrorism also advised Muslims not to relent in their good efforts done in the holy month of Ramadan, saying that Ramadan is just like a school that has come to impact a lasting lesson in us. He added that though the month is gone, it is not an avenue to return to past misdeeds long abandoned.
Mumuni commended the efforts of the Federal and Lagos state governments in taming the monster called Coronavirus, urging however that chances should not be taken.
He said that this is not the period to sit back in order to avoid the disaster ravaging some parts of the world.
By Abdulganiy Abdullah
