A mammoth crowd of Muslim faithful across the country yesterday thronged various eid grounds to observe two-rakat Eid-el Kabir prayers to mark this year’s celebration.
Among those in attendance at the prayers included governors and other top political leaders.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the Sallah celebrations were largely peaceful across the country amidst very tight security arrangements.
In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Muslim faithful in their large numbers matched to several mosques and venues designated for the eid prayers, chanting Allah’s praises in line with the prophetic tradition.
Security was beefed up across the metropolis while traffic officials were stationed around places with heavy traffic.
In a brief interview with reporters shortly before leaving for the palace to pay homage to the emir, the Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq, said he was glad about the peaceful eid celebration.
In Zaria, a colourful dubar was organised to celebrate the Sallah by the the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli.
While speaking, the emir tasked citizens, especially those that have attained voting age, to participate in the ongoing voter registration in preparation for the forthcoming general elections.
Also in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, residents were thrilled with a colourful Sallah durbar organised by paramount traditional ruler of the state, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi
The colourful durbar started at the Shehu’s palace shortly after Imam Idaini of Borno and Imam Shetima Mamman Ibn Saleh, led the two raka’at prayers and the observance of the slaughtering of ram at the prayer ground.
Thousands of subjects led by their traditional rulers, including district heads, village and ward heads among other traditional titleholders and royal families, adorned with colourful ceremonial regalia mounted horses to perform during the durbar.
A former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, led top officials of the Borno State government to Ramat Square, the venue of Eid-Adha’s congregational prayer in Maiduguri.
In Katsina, the Sallah was generally peaceful and the turnout of worshippers to the eid ground was massive as each of the numerous grounds was filled to the brim.
Recall that both Katsina and Daura emirates had cancelled Sallah durbar over problems of insecurity but called on the citizens to pray for peace and security of the nation.
In Niger, a former governor of the state, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, speaking after the eid prayer, charged Islamic leaders to preach more on the importance of sacrifice in human communities instead of hammering on paradise and hellfire on a daily basis.
He made the call after observing the two rakat Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Minna eid praying ground on Saturday.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, in his message on the occasion, urged Muslims to imbibe the life of sharing, caring and sacrifice.
He also urged them to remain steadfast in praying for peace, prosperity and development of the state, as well as an end to the current insecurity and other socio-economic challenges bedeviling the country.
Governor Yahaya reiterated that his administration would not abdicate from its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people, “and will continue to support the security agencies in their efforts towards ensuring peace and security of our dear state.”
He reminded the people of the state to take advantage of the ongoing continuous voter registration and obtain their voters’ cards to be eligible to exercise their rights to elect credible leaders.
In Imo, Governor Hope Uzodimma paid Sallah homage to the Muslim community in the state and put smiles on their faces by giving them two cows and two truckloads of 50 kilograms of rice for the celebration.
He admonished them to emulate all the good virtues of Prophet Mohammed, which include love for one another, sacrifice, peaceful co-existence with neighbours and kindness, among others.
In Osun, the chief imam of the state, Sheikh Musa Animasahun, appealed to Muslims to celebrate the Eid El-Kabir festival moderately, reflect on the lessons of the celebration and conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during next week’s governorship election in the state.
In his sermon at the Osogbo Eid Praying Ground, the imam called on electoral umpires to ensure free, fair, credible and acceptable governorship election.
In Anambra, Governor Charles Soludo, while congratulating the Muslim faithful, urged them to use the occasion to reflect on the state of the nation and live in peace with one another.
Contributions from Mumini AbdulKareem (Ilorin), Abubakar Akote (Minna), Jude Aguguo Owuamanam (Owerri), Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe), Hameed Oyegbade (Osogbo), Tijjani Ibrahim (Katsina), Abubakar Sadiq Mohd (Zaria), Titus Eleweke (Awka) & Hassan Ibrahim, Maiduguri
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