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Muslims
celebrate Eid el Fitri Amid tight
security
Newsdiaryonline Tue AUG 30,2011
Abuja residents
witnessed unusual security presence today during the eid l fitri
prayers to mark the end of month-long Muslim Ramadan fasting.
At the Kubwa eid prayer ground, there was
heavy security as
policemen cordoned off the vicinity, directing motorists to park
their vehicles a few metres away.Strategically positioned
policemen were seen holding tight to their guns apparently ready
for any eventuality just as police vehicles barricaded the road
leading to the prayer ground after a popular eatery.Road safety
personnel and other security men were equally
on duty.
In the sermon which was read in Hausa
English and Yoruba languages, urged muslims to imbibe the
lessons of the month of Ramadan.The attention of the ummah was
also drawn to the unfortunate rising insecurity in the country
.Muslims were urged
to patronize the newly
formed Jaiz Bank.In addition the sermon admonished parents to
keep close watch on what their children watch on satellite and
cable networks as well as the internet sites children visit.
The tight security today may not be
unconnected with renewed violence in parts of the country
especially Maiduguri and Jos as well as the rising
wave of suicide bomb blasts particularly in Abuja the
nation’s capital.A suspected suicide bomber hit the police
headquarters in June.Last Friday, yet another suicide bomber
attacked the Abuja office of the United Nations.At least 23
persons have been confirmed dead in that incident; about 20
others are known to be seriously injured and over 70 people were
injured in the blast.
Hafiz Ringim told the diplomatic community
on Monday that some arrests have been made and The Nation
reported today that three men have so far been arrested and
that they have links
with AlQaeda,thus putting a question mark on Boko Haram’s claim
that it was responsible
for the UN house bombing.
Meanwhile in his Sallah message sent to Newsdiaryonline ,former
governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel , enjoined Nigerian
Muslims to ensure that
the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan
become their guiding principles and should
inform their dealings with their fellow citizens. Otunba
Daniel in a
message of felicitation to the Muslim ummah said the teachings
of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) on ,self restraint, peaceful
coexistence, love for fellow citizens
and the lessons of Ramadan if imbibed by all would help
the country overcome its many problems especially the current
security challenges.
"I rejoice with our Muslim brothers and sisters as they
commemorate the end of Ramadan. We thank the Almighty for seeing
them through the period and pray that Allah will accept their
fasting as act of worship and bless them accordingly. As we
celebrate, we should
take time to
remember and pray for those who lost loved ones in the
unfortunate bombing incident at the United Nations House in
Abuja. We should also beseech Allah to grant those who were
wounded speedy recovery. Let me seize this opportunity to appeal
to all Nigerians to eschew all acts of
violence and
and actions that could plunge the country into chaos. We should
continue to build on
those things that unite us as a nation and should shun all
divisive tendencies , be it religious or political.
Self restraint , sacrifice , love for the less privileged
and our country which are some of the essential ingredients of
piety should not be shown in words alone but also in our
actions.We must all come together and work for the greater glory
of our fatherland irrespective of our religious
and political affiliation", Otunba Daniel said in the
statement.
The former Governor while wishing all Muslims
a joyous celebration appeal to Nigerians to celebrate in
moderation while also enjoining all road users to drive with
care in order to avoid carnage on our road.
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