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Tag: muslims

  • Sultan-led JNI condemns Kukah’s Christmas sermon, calls it a poisoned arrow fired at Muslims

    Sultan-led JNI condemns Kukah’s Christmas sermon, calls it a poisoned arrow fired at Muslims

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam on Wednesday knocked the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah over his homily on Christmas day.

    The organisation described Kukah’s homily as a poisoned arrow fired at the heart of Islam and Muslims across the country.

    The JNI statement’s is coming three weeks after bishop’s message where he accused President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism.

    However, on Wednesday in Kaduna, a statement titled, ‘Press release on Reverend Kukah’s Christmas homily,’ and authored by the JNI’s Secretary General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, described Kukah’s message as “irresponsible and seditious.”

    The statement reads partly, “Though the message is disguised as a political hogwash to deceive the innocent, there is no doubt that it was a poisoned arrow fired at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria, hence the need for this intervention.

    “The Bishop statement was a prepared address considering the occasion and the audience; one cannot but agree that it was a calculated attempt to insult Islam which is typical of him.

    “His veiled insinuation that Muslims have a pool of violence to draw from is disgusting, disheartening, as well as condemnable.

    “Responsibly, Christmas homilies should come with messages of hope, unity, mercy, forgiveness of the Supreme Being and resilience through prayers, especially in this trying time.

    “The Bishop’s message was however a clear deviation from well-established norm across the globe.”

  • Buhari sends special Eid-el Maulud message to Muslims

    Buhari sends special Eid-el Maulud message to Muslims

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Muslims all over the world on the occasion of Eid-el Maulud 2020 celebrations, an observance to mark the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.

    Celebrated on the third month in the Islamic calendar, the 2020 observance of Eid-el Maulud began in the evening of Wednesday, 28 October and ends in the evening of Thursday, 29 October, 2020.

    In his message to Islamic faithful, Buhari urged Muslims to use the occasion to rededicate themselves to showing love and understanding to one another.

    “As Muslims all over the world mark Eid-el-Maulud, I urge us all to use the occasion to rededicate ourselves to showing love and understanding to one another; and exhibiting patience, honesty, sincerity, kindness and generosity in all our undertakings,” Buhari stated via his official Twitter handle.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Saraki Felicitates With Muslims, Calls for Prayer for Nigeria

    Eid-el-Kabir: Saraki Felicitates With Muslims, Calls for Prayer for Nigeria

    Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has felicitated with muslims across the country on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival and called on them to pray for the unity, development and security of Nigeria.

    In a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja on Thursday, Saraki advised Muslims to know that the nation is facing many challenges which pose serious threat to her unity and progress while noting that citizens need to rededicate themselves physically, spiritually and intellectually to the cause of saving and serving the country.

    He added that a period like that of Eid-el-Kabir, a season of sacrifice and demonstration of faith, provides an opportunity for such renewal of patriotism. The Eid-el-Kabir festival, he stated, symbolizes the voluntary obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) to the commands of Allah and the demonstration of his faith in his maker.

    He urged Muslims to also remember that Allah commands them to obey the laws of their land, comply with lawful directives from the government of the day, live in peace with their neighbours and commit their affairs into the hands of the ultimate controller.

    “There is no time that we need to demonstrate all the lessons of Eid-el-Adha than now. Apart from the economic and security problems, the unique challenges imposed on our environment by the Covid-19 pandemic demand that we all work together to reduce the spread of the virus, maintain peace in our society and help to channel the lean resources of state to funding of priority issues.

    “It is therefore important for all of us to avoid huge gatherings and other conduct which may lead to the spread of Covid-19. We should also stick to the use of face masks, wash our hands from time to time, apply hand sanitizers and maintain physical distance. This is important to avert a situation where after Sallah, there would be increased cases of people infected with the virus”, he stated.

    He urged muslims to use the sallah period to intensify prayers for the country. “We should seek for Almighty Allah (SWT) to heal her, restore full security, prosperity, peace and strengthen her unity. We should pray for victory for our soldiers fighting against insurgency and banditry in different parts of the country and protection for our health officials on the frontlines striving to prevent the spread of Covid-19 across the country”, Saraki stated.

  • Sultan: Muslims to observe Eid-el-Kabir next week without prayers at Eid grounds

    Sultan: Muslims to observe Eid-el-Kabir next week without prayers at Eid grounds

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Friday 31 July as Eid-el-Kabir Sallah day and urged Muslims to observe prayers in mosques.

    Abubakar, also the President General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), made the call in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council.

    “In view of the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sultan hereby advises all District Heads and Imams in Sokoto State, to observe Eid prayers at their Juma’at Mosques.

    “This, in their respective towns and villages and not at Eid Grounds.

    “Also the Muslim Communities throughout the country to do same to help curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

    ” The Sultan declared Friday, July 31, as the 10th day of Dhul-Hijja 1441 AH and the day of Eid-el-Kabir for the year” statement said.

    Abubakar urged Muslim to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country, while wishing them happy Eid-el-Kabir.

  • Eld-el-Fitri: Sustain Good Values Imbibed During Ramadan, Saraki Urges Muslims

    Eld-el-Fitri: Sustain Good Values Imbibed During Ramadan, Saraki Urges Muslims

    Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated Nigerian Muslims on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and urged them to sustain the good values they imbibed during the holy month.

    Saraki noted that the holy month taught the faithful piety, self denial, good neighbourliness , discipline, empathy with and making provision for the less privileged in the society. He added that all those values if sustained and permanently imbibed by Muslims will help to build a great country for the benefit of all.

    He urged the people to continue to pray for Nigeria, in particular, and the entire world in view of the challenges posed by the raging Covid-19 epidemic and its impending socio-economic implications.

    “This last Ramadan was very unique in that we observed it without all the normal gathering for Iftar, tarawih prayers, listening to tafsir and going for lesser hajj. Also, as advised by both health and religious authorities, there would be no gathering for Eid prayers. We all must therefore co-operate and work together to eliminate this pandemic and restore good health to our society.

    “I enjoin all Nigerians to use this period of the Eid-el-Fitri to rededicate ourselves to our country, pray for good health and a stronger economy that can withstand the post-Covid:19 socio-economic challenges. We should comply with all safety rules and health advisories being issued by relevant authorities”, he stated.

    The former Senate President also called for prayers for all health workers who are on the frontline of fighting the Corona Virus as well as soldiers and other security agents who are fighting to restore peace in the North-East and other troubled areas of the country.
    “These Nigerians on the frontline of fighting to restore peace and good health to our country deserve our prayer. May the safety of Almighty Allah be on them and may their efforts be rewarded with victory on all fronts.

    “Once again, Eid Mubarak to all Muslims”, he statedd

  • Ekiti APC greets Muslims

    Ekiti APC greets Muslims

    Ekiti APC greets Muslims

    The All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ekiti state has felicitated with Muslims in the state on the celebration of Ramadan.

    Chairman of the party, Barrister Paul Omotosho said in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Sunday that it is a thing of joy that Muslims still observe the holy month of fasting and total abstinence despite the Corona virus pandemic ravaging the world over.

    The statement, signed by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Elder Sam Oluwalana eulogised the Islamic faithfuls for their endurance and steadfastness during the holy month.

    According to him, it is on record that the period of Ramadan had ushered in prayers for the country and supplications to end the convid- 19.

    The chairman urged them not to forget to adhere to measures put in place by the state government to end the spread of the deadly disease during the celebration.

    The statement explains; “These measures include social distancing, washing of hands with water and soap as well as keeping away from any congregation that is more than 20 persons.
    ” I will love like to implore you all to continue to pray for this country, even after the holy month for quick return to normalcy in the land and to also join hands with the state government to ensure peace and stability in the state

  • Eld-el-Fitr: Atiku urges Muslims to remain steadfast, says Coronavirus pandemic a test from Allah

    Eld-el-Fitr: Atiku urges Muslims to remain steadfast, says Coronavirus pandemic a test from Allah

    Former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Saturday said the current situation of the Coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic ravaging the world is a test from Allah.

    Atiku, in his Sallah message, commended Muslims for going all through the 30 days Ramadan.

    “I am sure there would be very few Muslims alive today – if any – who had witnessed a Ramadan fasting like the one we just had, and Eid celebration such as we would have this year without the mandatory congressional prayers.

    “We fasted this year without spiritual acts of worship that accompany the Holy month of Ramadan like attending tafsir (evening sermons before breaking of fast), sharing of iftar with family, friends and the needy, and even the voluntary seclusion during the last ten days of the blessed Ramadan.

    “But all these strictures could not have made our fasting less valid because, as Muslims, we believe that everything that happens is with the command of Almighty Allah. We are taught in the scripture and the Sunnah of Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that God would test our faith individually and as an Ummah.

    “The current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic is a test from Allah and, having fasted as we are enjoined as Muslims, let us continue to remember that it is part of our faith to protect all lives and to abide by regulations from those in authority, especially during a time of great uncertainty like this,” he said.

    According to Atiku, “those protocols about avoidance of crowded places, social distancing and regular washing of hands are for our own benefits and the benefits of humankind in general.

    “As Muslims, it is incumbent upon us to do our best both in action and in prayers to ensure that the world is healed of this deadly virus in the earliest possible time.

    “It is also incumbent on governments at all levels, that in planning for the post Covid-19 era, the welfare of the people should be of paramount priority.”

    Atiku stated that people in leadership positions all over the world should learn from countless examples of how Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and his immediate disciples took the welfare of the people as priority in administration of a state.

    He added that this time called for sacrifice in leadership, saying that this was no time for extravagance and living in luxury.

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Don’t lose faith, courage in God because of Coronavirus, Buhari tells Muslims

    Eid-el-Fitr: Don’t lose faith, courage in God because of Coronavirus, Buhari tells Muslims

    President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Muslims across the country not to let their faith in God be dampened by the scourge of the global health crisis caused by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.

    President Buhari, in his message to the country in celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, regretted the fact that Muslims had suffered harsh conditions in a bid to keep themselves and the world around them safe, including being prevented from the important traditional practices that would usually go along with the Ramadan fasting.

    The President, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said “no government would intentionally impose these tough and demanding measures on its citizens if it had a choice.”

    He, however, urged Muslims to keep their spirits up in spite of the (COVID-19) pandemic, “which caught the world off guard, and has put a damper on what would otherwise have been a time of celebration for the Muslim faithful to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting period.”

    In his Sallah message to Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr, the President noted that “for the first time in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the people’s spiritual, social and economic lives.”

    According to President Buhari, “this year’s fasting period was particularly challenging for Muslims because they had to forgo many important aspects of their daily worship, including the routine congregations for prayer and the recitation and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an as well as traveling for the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah.”

    He said that “it is not easy to give up many of these important duties and activities, but it became imperative to do so in order to control or limit the spread of this deadly disease.”

    “Let me use this opportunity to commend the sacrifices of both Muslims and Christians for their cooperation in the enforcement of the social distancing guidelines. I am well aware of the inconveniences these tough measures have brought on the lives of Nigerians, including limiting religious activities and gatherings in large numbers,” the President noted.

    President Buhari also appealed to other Nigerians “whose businesses and means of livelihoods were badly affected by the prolonged lockdown measures for their understanding and cooperation.”

    He assured Nigerians that the lockdown measures would not go on longer than necessary because they would be reviewed from time to time to ease the increasing hardships on the people.

    He also exhorted people with means to continue helping their neighbours and the less well-to-do “so that we can all come out of this pandemic stronger and more united.”

    President Buhari told the Muslim faithful that “this year’s Eid event is an occasion for sober reflection rather than celebration because of the long shadows of gloom that the coronavirus has cast on people’s lives.”

    He prayed to Allah to ease the hardship among the people as they struggle hard to flatten the curve, while wishing all Nigerians “Eid Mubarak.”

  • Sultan declares Sunday Sallah day as Lagos Chief Imam tells Muslims to observe prayers at home

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on Friday declared Sunday as Eid-il-Fitr day.

    The declaration followed the no report of moon sighting in the country.

    The ongoing Ramadan ends Saturday, marking the end of 30-day fasting.

    A statement by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Wali Junaidu, said the council did not receive any report from various Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the moon of Shawwal.

    NSCIA Secretary-General Prof Ishaq Oloyede confirmed to The Nation that the moon was not sighted.

    Oloyede said “fasting continues tomorrow (today).”

    The Sultan, Prof Junaidu said, had accepted the report of the committee and accordingly declared Sunday, May 24 as the first day of Shawwal (Day of Eid-il-Fitr).

    “The Sultan felicitates with the Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. The Sultan while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country,” he said.

    The Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla advised Muslims to abide by the Sultan’s directive.

    This, he said, would ensure a national unity.

    He urged Muslims to observe the Sunday Eid prayers at home.

    Sheikh Abou-Nolla “This year’s Eid-il-Fitr is an unusual one coming at a time when the world is battling a global pandemic – the COVID-19 with its prevalence significantly impacting on every sphere of our lives particularly on social interaction. Recognising the need for our collective survival, in consonance with the Islamic principles that place high premium value on human lives, all Muslims should maintain a high level of personal hygiene such as regular hand washing, sanitising, practising social distancing and staying in our current locations to minimise the spread of the virus.

    “We enjoin Muslims to observe Eid prayers at home, as this exceptional circumstance demands, and as have been advised by Muslim scholars all over the world.”

  • Ramadan: Atiku greets Muslims, urges adjustments to new reality posed by Coronavirus pandemic

    Ramadan: Atiku greets Muslims, urges adjustments to new reality posed by Coronavirus pandemic

    Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has told Nigerian Muslims to adjust to the new reality posed by the deadly Coronavirus as they begin the Ramadan period today.

    Atiku, in his Ramadan message this had not been the best of times for the people and as a nation and for the global community.

    “The novel coronavirus, which originated from Wuhan in China has spread to no less than 210 countries and territories as at today.

    “Sadly Nigeria has not been spared this scourge. Since our first incident case in February, we have seen the figure rise to 981 with 31 deaths as at April 23, 2020. The good news however is that thanks to our heroic healthcare workers, 197 of the cases have recovered.

    “But we’ve had to make sacrifices, and much more is required of us in the days ahead if we must defeat the scourge of this plague. Our social life has been disrupted by lockdown of sections of our country and practice of social distancing.

    “In the last three weeks, we have been unable to gather to fulfil our religious obligations to worship the Almighty Allah. The lesser hajj has been suspended. My dear Muslim Ummah, this is the reality as we commence this year’s Ramadan,” he said.

    Atiku urged the Muslim faithful to pray for the country at this difficult moment when the #COVID19 plague had paralysed every aspect of social lives.

    “And as you commence the fasting period, one of the mandatory sacrifices required of us, bear in mind this year’s Ramadan comes at an extraordinarily tough moment for the Muslim Ummah because of the severe restrictions the coronavirus has imposed on us.

    “This is a moment of trial because for the first time in our recent history, we have never seen anything like this in terms of limitations on the activities we once performed without hindrance.

    “Unlike previous years, the 2020 fasting features, such as Iftar meal that Muslims share together everyday and every evening after breaking their fast would be affected because of the lockdown and social distancing policy brought about by the coronavirus outbreak.

    “Other activities that may be affected include the Tafsir or the gathering of Muslims to listen to Qur’anic recitation and interpretation by scholars.

    “Against this background, I urge Muslims to be steadfast and adjust to the new reality imposed by the coronavirus disease. These challenges are a test of our faith and resilience in the face of tough times,” he added.

    He said notwithstanding, it was pertinent upon Muslims to continue to be the good ambassadors of Islam by promoting peace, unity, tolerance, harmony and peaceful coexistence at all times and that above all, it was imperative that they observe all guidelines of the NCDC aimed at stemming the spread of the virus, much so as it is the teaching of the Noble Prophet Mohammed (SWT) during plague seasons such as this.

    “I supplicate to Allah to answer our prayers and help us overcome this extraordinary challenge soonest, and put our country on the path of renewal and prosperity,” he said.