By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, the Nigerian Armed Forces and others have called on Muslims across the country to always seeks ways to balance religious rites, public safety and national security.

They made the call at the 7th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayers for the Nation on Saturday in Abuja.

The Lecture with the theme; ‘Balancing Religious Rites and Public Safety: The Intersection of Ramadan, Hajj and National Security’ was organised by the Foundation.

The Chairman/Founder of the Foundation, Dr Sharafudeen Aliagan said the theme is a reflection of what is happening in the country, adding that it is wrong to sit on the fence when things are going wrong.

According to him, public safety and national security are very important in the life of each and everyone of us.

“So, we believe that in trying to observe the religious rites, we should be conscious of public safety and national security.

“Islam has five pillars as parts of the regions rites; strong believe in the oneness of Allah, believe in the messengers of Allah, Zakat, Fasting in the month of Ramadan and Hajj.

“In observing the Ramadan and fasting, we are to be conscious of public safety and national security. A fasting Muslim would not think of perpetrateling evil.

“He or she would be conscious of Allah along the spirit of Ramadan as a Holy Month, and it worthy to also note that, the Holy Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan.

“So all these will informed the consciousness of a fasting Muslim that Public safety and national security is very important and without them, we can’t have anything moving as far as the country is concerned,” Aliagan said.

He further explained that Hajj as one of the fifth pillars of Islam is one of the religious rites which a muslim must be well prepared before he or she observed it.

According to him, the preparation include, the consciousness of worshipping Allah, fear of God, closeness to Allah and having a clean heart.

He stressed that a Muslim could not go to Hajj with an evil mind, adding that Islam is peace, harmony amd tranquility, and in going to hajj, one has to be conscious of peace, harmony amd tranquility.

“If you fear Allah, you would not involve in kidnapping, perpetrate evil, go against the law of the land or do something that will be detrimental to the growth of the country.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa represented by the Director of Support Services at the Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Olatunji Bello urged Muslims to pray for the country regarding the scroge of insecurity.

Musa said he held in high esteem the Foundation for hosting the lecture and exploring ways including prayers for the nation to ensure that we overcome insecurity in no distant time.

“Let me correct a misconception; insecurity has always been in Nigeria and everywhere in the world. The only issue here is the social media that amplifies everything.

“The armed forces in the country has been doing a lot to deal with insecurity. We work assiduously with traditional rulers and others all over the country to ensure that everyone in this country is safe.

“We keep the nation safe, especially in the spirit of Ramadan. We want all Muslims to know that, in this period, we are redoubling our efforts to ensure that there is absolutely security amd peace in the land,” Musa assured.

Similarly, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, represented by the Director of Islamic Affairs at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Air Commodore Lawal Lukman commended Ashraaf Islamic Foundation for organising the lecture.

According to him, the Nigerian Air force is not only concerning about how to drop bombs and missiles, but also the spiritual well-being of its officers and the members of their families.

“When we guide our officers and their families towards getting closer to their creator, the more they become better in the society.

“However the efforts of our soldiers are yielding fruits and in our barracks, we don’t have issues, because we have religious peace, harmony and tranquility,” Abubakar said.

In same vein, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla represented by the Director of Policy at the Naval Headquarters, Real Adm. Malami Haruna said the theme of the lecture was vital for discussion.

He further explained that it is very important to find a permanent balance between religious organisations and ensuring public safety and national security.

“As we know, during the month of Ramadan, it is necessary to consider actions that will impact and contribute to the well-being of our people and country.

“The operation environment in place for the Nigerian Armed forces must be resolute to achieve the objective of restoring normalcy in our land,” (NAN)