WorldStage Newsonline— President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara have felicitated with the Muslim on the occasion of Eid El Fitr.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu called for sustained prayers for peace in the country as he congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of Ramadan.
He commended the Federal Government for its effort at tackling insecurity in the country.
“We have just ended a month-long fast, paving way for the Eid-el-fitr celebrations. We should therefore seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” he said.
Saraki called on Nigerians to use the season to promote national integration, saying “Eid-el-fitr is a time of love and goodwill. It gives us a message to love all and hate none”.
Dogara in a message to the Muslim community in Nigeria appealed to the faithful to sustain the lessons of Ramadan and replicate same in their daily lives for a better society.
He advised them not to be carried away by only the pageantry of the Sallah, but to use it for sober reflection.
Dogara said that the faithful should extend gestures and hands of support to the needy in the society as well as pray against the current security and economic situation of the country.
He emphasised the importance of peace, unity and tolerance among the diverse people of the country.
The speaker said that it was fundamental for the envisaged growth and development to take place, noting that the heterogeneity of Nigeria should be a source of strength rather than conflict.
“As you join the rest of the Ummah all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, I enjoin you to replicate and demonstrate it in your daily lives.
“The lessons and virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, piety, self-denial and genuine love towards one another which you learnt during the month-long fast should be sustained,” he said.
Against the backdrop of the current security and economic situation in the country, Dogara urged the faithful to take advantage of the spirituality of the period to offer special prayers.
He urged Muslims to lift all Nigerians up before God, especially the downtrodden and the leadership of this country, for wisdom and understanding.
The speaker pledged the commitment of the lower chamber to initiating legislative interventions to overcome the many challenges in the country.
He urged Nigerians, irrespective of persuasions to cement the bond of unity and brotherhood as a people of common destiny, adding that as compatriots, they should contribute meaningfully toward building a peaceful and united country.
