As the 1442AH/2021 Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims across the globe have been urged to imbibe the teachings and lessons from the month and continue to pray for peace and tranquillity.
This was contained in the End of Ramadan/Eid-el-Fitr message of The Muslim Congress signed by its National Amir (President), Alhaji Abdul Waasii Bangbala, titled: WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO ALLAH, where he advised all to always act in ways that will engender peace and harmony.
In his words, Alhaji Bangbala said “It may appear so fast but a lot has happened in the last 29 days. The best we can do is to show our gratitude to Allah (SWT) for guarding and guiding us, and for His provisions and mercies. We could never have made it to this point on our own. May Almighty Allah grant us the favour to witness the remaining few days and make us among those who will observe the salah of Eid-ul-Fitri.
“In Surah Ar-Rahman, Allah (SWT) repeats the verse asking, And, which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Thirty one times, showing mankind that there is no end to His favours and pointing to His overflowing mercy *time and again*.
“I urge us to imbibe the teachings and lessons of Ramadan in the coming months till we witness another Ramadan, In Shaa Allah. May Allah, in His Infinite mercies, accept all our good deeds, forgive our shortcomings and admit us into Al-Jannah Firdaus on the Day of Judgement. Amin.
“Let us continue to pray for peace and tranquillity in our country and to always act in ways that will engender peace and harmony. Let us remember that a believer does not shed blood unjustly, neither does he call to ethnicity. Our moral principle is to relate with our neighbours with peace, mercy and compassion. These are the tenets we must always uphold in our communities.”, he emphasised.
He further appeal to all Muslims in the country to await the official pronouncement of the Sultan of Sokoto while urging them to celebrate with moderation and security consciousness in face of the receding third wave of COVID-19.
“I also appeal to us to await the pronouncement of the Sultan, His Eminence, Abubakar Saad III, for the end of Ramadan upon confirmation of the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal, so that we can end the fasting together just as we started together.
“Let us celebrate the ‘Eid in moderation and with caution. Let us provide for the poor amongst us as you endeavour to be your brothers keepers. Let us be security-conscious at all times and ensure that we protect ourselves from the COVID-19 disease that is already receding. But we must ensure we play our dedicated part in ensuring that a third wave does not occur in our country. It is your responsibility as well as mine.
“I must show appreciation to our members, our well-wishers, our friends, and the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and overseas by thanking them for their dedication and commitment to the worship of their Lord in this month of Ramadan. Your generous donations, including human and material resources, did wonders on radio, television, social media and mosques. Your reward with Allah is guaranteed since Allah makes not the reward of the Muhsinoon (good-doers) to be lost. (Surah Yusuf, Verse 90)”, he prayed.
By Shotonwa Abdul Waheed