Ramadan: Niger monarch urges Islamic clerics to preach peace
The Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has urged clerics to prioritize their Tafsir sermon in the ongoing Ramadan on peace, unity tolerance and actions that will improve the progress of Nigeria.
The monarch cautioned against provocative and inciting sermons that may undermine peaceful coexistence during and after Ramadan.
The Nation reported that, Etsu Nupe made this call at a meeting with Islamic clerics in his Wadata Palace, Bida on Tuesday.
The monarch noted that the Ramadan fast was an ideal time to engage in fervent prayer for continuos peace, unity and socio-economic prosperity of the nation.
Abubakar also reasoned that the Ramadan period is also the time when Muslims globally intensify various acts of worship.
While urging Islamic preachers to carry out their activities, especially during the sermons, in compliance with Islamic injunctions, the royal father said focus should be on those ordained by the glorious Qur’an and the teachings of the Holy Prophet.
“Religious preaching during this period should be targeted at maintaining harmonious relationships among the people and nothing should be done to divide the people,” he said.
The traditional ruler called on the Muslims to use this year’s Ramadan fast to offer special prayers for the newly elected, for the guidance of God Almighty over them so that they can deliver the anticipated dividends of democracy to the people.
Commenting on the Quran, he stated that Islam encouraged every citizen to pray for his/her leaders, adding that the success of the leadership of any nation is the success of all and sundry.
He said the fasting period was a time for sober reflection which gave Muslims to establish good relationship with God and seek His face in supplication and prayers.
On the current situation of things in the country, the monarch explained that there was a need for Nigerians to advantage of the opportunity accrued from the fasting to pray for unity and for peace to reign.
He said that the fasting period was not only for abstinence from food, drink and worldly pleasures, but a time to seek Allah’s power through prayers.
Abubakar, however, reassured his commitment to support the growth of the kingdom the country at large urging his subjects to actively participate in the Tafsir and tolerate one another no matter their affiliations
He also advised Muslims to avoid anything that could make the purpose of Ramadan to be defeated, saying the should abide the Islamic teachings and tenets.
The riyal father then called on the public-spirited and wealthy Nigerians to always support the less privileged, to improve on their living standards.
Ramadan: Niger monarch urges Islamic clerics to preach peace
