Senate President Bukola Saraki has congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fast and called for sustained prayers for peace in the country.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations, the Sarakie said in spite of Federal Government’s appreciable efforts in combating the challenge of insecurity, it is imperative for Muslim faithful to utilise this period to pray fervently for peace and unity in the country.

“We have just ended a month-long fast, thus, paving way for the Eid-el-fitr celebrations. These two periods are such times that the Almighty Allah enjoined us to ask for his blessings. We should, therefore, seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” Saraki said.

Saraki called on Nigerians to use the season to promote national integration, saying “Eid-el-fitr is a time of love and goodwill. It gives us a message to love all and hate none.”

He said despite numerous challenges in the country, “hope is not lost”, adding that, “only tolerance, stronger sense of patriotism and love for one another will help the country surmount her present socio-economic challenges.”

Similarly, felicitating with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid El Fitr, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, enjoined them to sustain the lessons of Ramadan and replicate same in their daily lives for a better society.

He also called on the Ummah not to be carried away by only the pageantry of the Sallah celebration, but to use the occasion for sober reflection and extend gestures and hands of support to the needy in the society as well as to pray against the current security and economic situation of the country.

Dogara emphasised the importance of peace, unity and tolerance amongst the diverse people of the country for the envisaged growth and development to take place, noting that the heterogeneity of Nigeria should be a source of strength rather than conflict.

He said: “As you join the rest of the Ummah all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, I enjoin you to replicate and demonstrate in your daily lives the lessons and virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, piety, self denial and genuine love towards one another which you learnt during the month-long fast.

“This is indeed another moment of celebration and sober reflection. And apart from reflection, I urge you to also take out opportunity, cashing on the spirituality of this festive period to offer special prayers for the nation against the backdrop of the current security and economic situation and to lift up our people before God, especially the downtrodden- those Who struggle to make ends meet as well as the leadership of this country – from Mr. President, the Vice President, the Leadership of the National Assembly, the Governors down to Local Government Chairmen and councillors for God to grant us wisdom and give us understanding and for Him to open up doors of opportunity so that we will be able to meet the expectations of the people.”

While pledging the commitment of the House of Representatives to initiating legislative interventions to overcome the many challenges in the country, Dogara used the occasion to urge Nigerians, irrespective of their persuasions to cement the bond of unity and brotherhood as a people of common destiny and contribute meaningfully in the quest for building a peaceful and united country.

In his own message, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the values of Ramadan and continue to manifest them in their daily lives.

Amosun, in his message, signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitr, said Ramadan, which was a time of fasting and charity, also demanded righteousness in all endeavours.

“During Ramadan, which is one of the important pillars of Islam, we were obliged to fast, shun evil actions, speak right and show love to one another.

“It also compelled us to engage in deep spiritual reflection and I believe that if we all continue in this practice after Ramadan, it will be not only to our benefit as individuals but also as a nation.

“Above all, we should not draw back in our devotion to Allah, which is the ultimate of our faith,” the governor added.

Praying that Allah should accept the sacrifices, Amosun wished Muslims a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

On his part, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, rejoiced with the Muslim ummah, congratulating them for successful fasting, “through which they fulfilled one of the five pillars of Islam.”

Obi reminded them that a like this calls for sharing of love through charity and compassion. He said it also called for understanding and devotion to the progress and development of the country.

He called on them to explore the spiritual content of the celebration by letting its essence to bring them into greater love for one another.

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