President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has felicitated with Nigerian Muslims on this year’s commemoration of the Mawlid Nabiy, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The president, in a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, urged Muslims to use the period for deep reflection and remembrance of the holy prophet’s exemplary conduct and noble teachings.
He said, “As we mark the Mawlid, we should all reflect on the life lived by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) exemplified by purity, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion. We must endeavour to imbibe those virtues.”
President Tinubu also urged the Muslim faithful to dedicate the Mawlid holiday to pray for the country and show empathy and compassion towards one another.
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Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, in a statement signed yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, called on Muslims to pray for Nigeria, its political, religious and traditional leaders.
The speaker, who said the country needed divine intervention, added that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) whose birthday was being marked and celebrated by Muslims the world over was an embodiment of peace and unity.
Abbas, who urged Muslims to imbibe his teachings about godliness, obedience to authorities and sacrifice, also implored them to be their brother’s keepers at all times as exemplified by the holy prophet.
He called on Nigerians to use the occasion to re-dedicate themselves to nation building and support the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, urged fellow Muslims to use the occasion of Mawlid to reflect on the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and pray for Nigeria.
Senator Barau, in a message to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said the National Assembly was committed to enacting the necessary legislations to support President Tinubu in tackling the country’s challenges.
Barau, who is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, urged the Muslim community and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, stability and prosperity in the country, stressing the importance of unity in overcoming the challenges the nation faced.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State also urged Muslims and Nigerians to reflect as the world celebrated the birthday of the prophet.
The governor thanked Allah for His mercies upon and the light that Islam represented.
The birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he noted, was a mercy to mankind, adding that his prophethood offered a unique guidance and blessing to the world.
He further said, “Despite being an orphan and surrounded by hostile confederates of non-believers, the prophet attained his destiny and discharged his message to the world without blemish.
“This is a lesson for everyone, especially persons who may find themselves in different phases of life.
“With sincere faith and reliance on Allah, hard work, adherence to communal values and consistency, we can face any condition and emerge victorious and stronger.”
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, enjoined Muslims and other citizens to use the Mawlid period to continue to live in peace and harmony with one another despite ethnic, religious or political differences.
The governor also appealed to all the citizens to use the occasion to pray for the intervention of Allah (SWT) to bring an end to natural calamities.
He said, “As we celebrate Mawlid, we should remember that the Holy Prophet had during his lifetime preached peace, honesty, patience, generosity, humility, sincerity, love for one another and fear of God. It is these virtues that people, irrespective of their religious inclinations, are enjoined to imbibe and practice.”
Also, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, called on the Muslim ummah to draw inspiration and lessons from the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The governor, in a message issued by his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, stressed the importance of reflecting on the teachings of the prophet and integrating his legacies of unity, integrity, peaceful coexistence and love for one’s neighbour into the fabric of society.
The Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF) chairman urged that the celebration of the prophet’s birth should serve as a moment for spiritual rejuvenation and as a reminder for Nigerians to come together in prayer for unity, stability and progress.
Yahaya also called on citizens to continue to be law-abiding to protect the peace and tranquility that Gombe State currently enjoyed; urging them to shun any actions that could threaten the state’s harmonious environment.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Gombe State Police Command, Hayatu Usman, directed all area commanders, DPOs, tactical commanders and the Motor Traffic Department (MTD) to deploy adequate personnel, resources and intelligence strategies throughout the festive period.
The CP, in a press release signed by the command’s spokesman, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, advised parents and guardians to counsel and monitor their wards by ensuring they did not engage in any acts of misconduct during the Mawlid processions.
The Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, in a statement by his spokesman, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, emphasised the significance of the day, urging Muslims to reflect on the prophet’s teachings and emulate his character.
He called for prayers for peace, progress and prosperity in Katsina State and Nigeria.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, in a statement by his media aide, Tersoo Kula, urged Muslims to reflect on the principles of the prophet’s life of kindness, compassion and role as a spiritual guide.
He charged them to always engage in dialogue and conversation aimed at promoting the unity and growth of the state and country.
Meanwhile, the PDP asked the APC federal government to immediately review its “anti-people polices” impoverishing the people and begin to priotise their wellbeing.
In its Mawlid message to Nigerians, the PDP charged them to strengthen their resolve for a national rebirth to overcome the biting economic hardship and worsening insecurity.
The PDP stated this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba.
Emir of Zazzau joins others to celebrate
The Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, joined thousands of Muslim faithful to celebrate the 2024 Mawlid Nabiy in Zaria.
The emir, who kick-started the procession to mark the day on horseback early morning yesterday from the Sarkin Ladanan Zazzau residence, was accompanied by members of the emirate council, district heads and Islamic clerics.
The traditional leader, who prayed for peace, stability and unity of the country, tasked Muslims to use the period to engage in fervent prayers for divine intervention against banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and all forms of vices.
He urged clerics to always unite themselves and avoid sentiments in propagating the good virtues of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Bamalli, while appreciating the peaceful and orderly conduct of the Mawlid celebration, enjoined youths to combine knowledge with skills so as to reduce joblessness.
Also, the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), under the leadership of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, called on Muslims across Ogun State and Nigeria to use the occasion of the Mawlid as an opportunity to show solidarity with the people and government of Borno State and urged prayers for those affected by the recent devastating flood that had compounded the state’s struggle to recover from the long-standing impacts of terrorism and banditry.
In a statement signed by Kamaldeen Akintunde, Secretary General of OMC, the council expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and destruction of property in Maiduguri, describing the situation as both heart-breaking and tragic.
Relatedly, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), FCT branch, has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Mawlid to help the victims of the flood disaster in Borno State and other parts of the country.
The FCT Chairman of MMPN, Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, made the call in a statement on Sunday.
Hajiya Medina, at the occasion, which coincided with the monthly meeting of the MMPN, said that while it was another period to rejoice, it was, however, with deep reflection.
She said, “In addition to the series of flood disasters ravaging many states and hundreds of lives, there is no better time for dedicated supplications by all Nigerians than now. Also pray for those who died in different ways, including road accidents, victims of kidnapping and fire disasters.”
In the meantime, the Ondo State Police Command said it had provided security arrangements in ensuring a hitch-free celebration of Mawlid.
In a statement, the command’s spokeswoman, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Abayomi Oladipo, urged the Muslim faithful to use the opportunity to remember the state and the country at large in their prayers, while observing the celebration.
Meanwhile, the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS) said that it would plant more than 1,000 soursop trees across the country as part of activities marking this year’s Mawlid.
The National Chief Imam AIS, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, said this on Sunday in Abuja at the commencement of the tree planting, themed: “Make it Green Campaign”.
He said that while 1,000 of the trees would be planted in Abuja and environs, the remaining would be planted in designated areas across the country.
He noted that the soursop tree, fruits and leaves were known for their healthy options for additional sources of antioxidants, cancer cell-killing properties and for anti-inflammation.
Adeyemi also called for assistance for the victims of the devastating floods in Maiduguri and other parts of the country. He said, “Today is the time of Mawlid, and we want the entire world to know what the Prophet Muhammad stood for, his mission and his messages. I think part of his greatest messages is the sustenance and conservation of the environment. The prophet has given us lots of lessons and teachings as far as the environment is concerned.
“He mentioned that we should plant trees and that animals that eat from it, humans that eat from it, people that stay under their shades would be counted as ‘sadakat-ud-jariyya’ both here and in the hereafter.
“Also, if one looks at the Maiduguri flood, it is 70 per cent an environment-related issue. Had it been we were proactive and listened to the messages of Prophet Muhammad, I don’t believe this thing would have happened.”
He further said, “Today, we have started with 100 pieces for Abuja and environs and tomorrow (Monday) we are launching it in Minna, Niger State, by God’s grace.”
He also urged other Muslim organisations to explore other ways of helping the people and the environment for the wellbeing of the people and the country.
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