6th February, 2012
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the Eid-El-Malud holiday, the National President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and some lawmakers in the National Assembly have charged Muslims to embrace the tenet of peaceful co-existence.
Oritsejafor, in a statement urged Muslim Ummah to take advantage of the occasion to reflect on the ideals espoused by Prophet Muhammed, which includes love for neighbours and peaceful coexistence.
“I urge all adherents of the Islamic faith to see this year’s Eid-El-Malud as a unique period to reflect on the security challenges currently threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, pray fervently and work for the peace of the country.
Also speaking, the lawmaker, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency of Lagos in the House of Representatives, Babajide Akinloye charged Muslims to re-dedicate themselves to peaceful coexistence in the country.
Akinloye added that the festival provided another opportunity to both the leadership and their followers to be firm in the indivisibility of the nation, and shun acts capable of creating chaos and divisions among the socio- ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Another member of the House of Representatives, representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu advised Muslims to reflect the virtues, life and times of Prophet Mohammed by ensuring that peace remained an integral embodiment of “our daily relations with fellow Muslims and those of other faiths.”
Bush-Alebiosu said the impact of the Eid-El-Malud celebration should reflect in the actions of adherents of the Islamic faith if they indeed have firm conviction in the exemplary life of Prophet Mohammed and the supremacy of Allah.
— Kazeem Ugbodaga