Shiek Abdul Isola, Chief Imam of Islamic Centre, Uwani, Enugu, on Monday called on Muslims to use the period of Ramadan fasting and prayers to return to Allah.
Isola made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, on the essence and benefits of the holy month to Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general.
The cleric decried the level of violence in some communities in the country especially those with vast Muslim numbers.
“Islam is a religion of peace. And by following the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, you cannot but live a life of good neighbourliness with people around you.
“It is an error to hear of crime or even violent crimes in a Muslim community that faithfully follows the footsteps of the great prophet.
“So I will enjoin every Muslim to participate fully in the ongoing Ramadan fast and use it as a soul searching moment to purge ourselves from all evil within and around us, ” he said.
Isola, who is also the chief missioner of the centre, said; “We must go back to Allah (God) and refrain from all forms of evil.
“This month of Ramadan opens an opportunity for God’s bountiful mercies to come on us as individuals and collectively as a nation.
“Our land, Nigeria, needs Allah’s healing and cleansing for lasting peace to come and our lost glory as a nation regained.’’
Isola also prayed for the leaders of the country for Allah’s wisdom to fall on them so that they find ways to end all forms of insecurity and violence in the country.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims observe one month fast.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a compulsory religious obligation on all adult Muslims.
Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, had on Sunday declared Monday as the first day of Ramadan fast in Nigeria; as the new moon for month of Ramadan was sighted in various parts of the country.
(NAN)
