…As FCT Minister, NYSC, AMAC Preaches Peace, Unity

Olaide Akanbi

This year’s edition of Eid Mubarak celebration was indeed an uncommon one as most of all the prayer ground in the city, were vacant as Muslims faithful  mark the end of Ramadan at home courtesy of religious restriction put in place by the government due to the pandemic COVID-19 that affected all spheres of life.

Eid el-Fitr remains an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide which marks the end of Ramadan the Islamic holy month of fasting.

The religious is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast, the holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset, Ramadan fasting.

However, the day of the Eid el-Fitr, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of the new moon by local Islamic authorities.

Being the first Eid el-Fitr to be celebrated at home in the city as a result of COVID-19 The Gleamer Online News  who went round to see the level of compliance reported that many prayers ground, that used to be bubbling in the previous celebration was practically empty as Muslims faithful observe their prayer at home across the city.

Unlike before, when Eid el-Fitr was celebrated amidst fanfare and prayers will be raised at all prayer grounds across the city to the end of fasting. its rather empty, mosques, scanty street in the FCT.

 Unfortunately, this year’s celebration has been muted, sober and devoid of that fanfare for which it has come to be associated with for decades, due to the novel coronavirus, otherwise called COVID-19 pandemic.

The gradual ease of lockdown by government that is affecting the opening of religious gatherings at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) remain an attempt to curb the spread of the disease have forced many Nigerians, especially Muslims and mosques, to scale down the celebration.

The Gleamer Online News  gathered that many prayer grounds were not open while in the mosque’s presence of security personnel at all those places were felt.

In Abuja , The Gleamer Online News  who went round the city gathered that the prayer ground like Area 11 new site, National mosques, Area 7 Mosque,  Muslim Community  Center MCC mosque in Zone 3 amongst other were completely empty as part of compliance to the federal government directives.

The commercial activities are nothing to write home about as empty street were practically observed, the recreational centers in the city refuse to open while cinemas as some fun places were under lock and key.

Despite all the circumstances beyond all resident, the   compelling need for residents to show love to one another, eschew bigotry, ethnic rivalry and pray for the country to realize her potentials, as well as prayer for a quick end of COVID-19, echoed in the 2020 Eid-el-Fitr messages by religious and political leaders as Muslim faithful celebrate 29 days of dawn-to-sunset Ramadan fasting.

In his message to Resident, the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa has congratulated Muslim faithful across the Territory for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and wishes them a pleasant and joyous Eid-el Fitr celebration.

Malam Bello urged them to intensify their prayers for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 According to him, while the Holy month of Ramadan was no doubt used to pray fervently for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative consequences on society.

“I must urge the Muslim Ummah not to relent in their prayers but rather intensify them even after Ramadan, because in times of tribulations, true supplications to the Almighty indeed yield positive results.”

In the same vein, the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim DSS Ph.D. MTRCN, Management and Staff of the Scheme heartily felicitate with the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the Ramadan Fast urging them to allow the teaching of Allah to reflect positively in their conduct.

In a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Adenike Adeyemi (Mrs) Relations on Saturday In Abuja, charges Muslims faithful to continue to pray for the peace of Nigeria.

According to the statement, May the holy month of Ramadan which witnessed fasting, spiritual contemplation, as well as works of charity bring restoration, not only to our economy, health and social systems, but that of the globe at large, as we collectively battle COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant consequences.

“Management earnestly prays that the gains of the great spiritual exercise and the teachings of the Almighty Allah shall remain very visible in our individual and collective conducts, particularly that of the Corps Members upon whose shoulders the future of this country rests, to the benefit of our dear Nation.

“As we celebrate this season of renewal, let us continue to observe the safety protocols of COVID-19, predicated on the use of facemask, social distancing, use of hand sanitizer and proper washing of the hands with liquid soap for at least twenty seconds

The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Malam Abdullahi Candido equally urged variously ethnic groups residing in the Council Area to ensure unity and peaceful co-existence. While he called on residents to continue to pray for the peace and growth of the city and nation at large.

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