BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, and some Islamic scholars have identified intensified prayers and good deeds by all Nigerians as solutions to the security, economic and social challenges bedeviling the country.
Specifically, the President, Osun State Muslim Community, Mustafa Olawuyi, and a lecturer from the Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Abdulfattah Makinde urged political office holders to be fair, just and sincere in their acts and deeds.
They disclosed these at the grand finale of this year’s Hijrah 1444 AH celebrations in Osogbo on Saturday.
Oyetola, who was represented by his commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Olalekan Badmus, while addressing Muslim faithful at the event, urged for peaceful co-existence among all religious adherents in the state.
He called for intensified prayers for peace in the country and urged Muslim faithful to reflect on the significance of Hijrah.
“I charge you to rededicate yourselves to the peace, unity, progress and security of Osun and Nigeria at large. Maintain peaceful coexistence among the people of various faith and peace must not be compromised. Islam means peace, any Muslim that promotes violence and hate doesn’t preach Islamic ethics. Continue to offer prayers for the peace of Osun and Nigeria. Let’s reflect on the significance of the celebration and abandon your bad habits and rededicate yourselves to the service of Allah,” the governor said.
In his remarks, Olawuyi said, “the programme is mainly to sensitise the ummah on the importance of Hijrah Calendar. The Gregorian calendar that is popular in this part of the world does not cater for spiritual needs of the Muslims since we don’t rely on it to begin and end Ramadan fast, performance of hajj, fasting the 3 days in the middle of the month etc, but it is the Hijra Calendar that takes care of all these spiritual commitments.
“These lessons of Hijrah is to continue doing our duties to our Creator and Sustainer, the
Almighty Allah and keep good relations with His creatures. If we do these the whole world will be peaceful and be an abode of joy for all inhabitants.”
Delivering a lecture titled: “Islam & Politics in a Multi-Religious Setting,” Prof Makinde, urged political office holders to be fair, just and selfless in the discharge of their civic duties.
He stated, “To all our politicians, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, I want you all to see yourselves as God’s representatives in your various political offices and follow tenets of Allah. Always remember you will render stewardship before God. Even if you don’t feel accountable to the people.”
