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Muslim leaders under the auspices of Sarkin Hausa in Awka, Haruna Garuba, and the Deputy National Director-General of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Gidado Sidikki, have called for the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians especially those in South-eastern states.
They made the call yesterday after their Eid prayers, to commemorate this year’s 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebration at the Central Mosque Awka.
Haruna urged the Muslim community in the state to use the celebration to reflect and pray for peace and harmony in Nigeria.
He said: “We need to visit our Christian brothers and the leadership of our host communities because we are living peacefully with them”.
Sidikki who is also a Chieftain of MACBAN in South East zone, urged his Fulani brothers in the state to live in harmony with their host communities.
Siddiki said: “Eid al-Adha, also known as Eid al-Kabir, is celebrated annually by Muslims worldwide to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isma’il as an act of obedience to Allah, who then substituted Isma’il with a ram. This is why Muslims traditionally sacrifice a ram on this day.
“We observe Eid al-Kabir as an act of submission to Almighty Allah, acknowledging that everything we receive and experience is ordained by Him.
“Despite enduring losses due to attacks and insurgency, we recognize that insecurity affects every region, not just the South East. Therefore, we use this occasion to beseech Allah for forgiveness and grant solace to those who have lost loved ones, while expressing gratitude for our health and survival”.
He encouraged his fellow residents of the South East to refrain from actions that jeopardize the peaceful coexistence they have enjoyed with their host communities.
He also appealed to the government, traditional authorities, and other institutions in the South East to ensure the maintenance of peace in the state.
