8th July, 2013
Millions of Muslims all over the world, including Nigeria will begin the fasting month of Ramadan Wednesday.
In Riyadh, the royal cabinet announced the holy month in a statement Monday, citing the kingdom’s religious authorities.
In Nigeria, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has adjusted official working hours to between 9am and 2pm from Mondays to Thursdays and 9am to 1pm on Fridays in Niger throughout the fasting period.
“I enjoin all Muslims to use this solemn period to rededicate themselves to the teaching of Islam and pray fervently for the peace, unity and progress of our state and the country at large,’’ a statement issued on behalf of the governor said.
The holy month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious and charitable, begins with the sighting of the new moon, which varies from country to country.
Other Arab countries including Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Yemen, will also observe the start of Ramadan on Wednesday.
During Ramadan, Muslims are also required to abstain from drinking liquids, smoking and having sex from dawn until dusk. The fasting is one of the five main religious obligations under Islam.
The month is sacred to Muslims because tradition says it is the month in which the Koran was revealed by Allah to the Prophet Mohammed.
In Lagos, former governor and national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu called on all Muslims to embrace the virtues of personal sacrifice, self discipline and tolerance during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to the former governor and national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, the country is at a crucial stage in which it needs more supplication and prayers for it to continue to survive as an entity.
“The Muslim Ramadan period offers the vast Muslims in this country and elsewhere the opportunity to pray for Nigeria. Nigeria needs deliverance from poverty, corruption, visionless leaders, wicked rulers and all purveyors of falsehood. The spirit of death hangs over our country and we must all pray for a change that is beneficial to all”.
Tinubu urged all religious leaders from different faiths not to leave the Muslims alone to do it all during this Ramadan season but to in their own way offer prayers and seek to imbibe the virtues of peace,sacrifice and forgiveness.