As the crescent moon is sighted, signalling the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) has urged Muslims to embrace the teachings of compassion, forgiveness and gratitude.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abas and made available to newsmen on Sunday night in Ibadan.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times for Muslims.
It is a time of spiritual reflection, fasting, and prayer, serving as a period of increased devotion, self-discipline and compassion.
Alli called on Muslims to embrace the teachings of compassion, forgiveness and gratitude while fostering harmony and understanding in their interactions with others.
He acknowledged the sacredness of the month and joined in celebrating the commencement of Ramadan with Muslims across the globe.
The lawmaker said that the month of Ramadan was a time for spiritual growth, self-improvement, charity and kindness,
Alli recognised the values of unity, empathy and generosity that Ramadan embodied, encouraging Muslims to embrace these virtues throughout the month.
“As the Muslim community embarks on this journey of faith and devotion, I like to emphasise the importance of upholding the principles of peace, love and understanding.
“We must sincerely foster harmony and goodwill among individuals of diverse backgrounds as well as beliefs,” he said.
He encouraged Muslims to deepen their spiritual connection and seek forgiveness while striving for personal growth and renewal.
The lawmaker’s message of felicitation on the commencement of Ramadan underscored his respect for the religious traditions and practices of the Muslim faith.
As the holy month unfolds, Senator Alli extended best wishes for a blessed and spiritually enriching Ramadan.
He prayed that the period would be filled with answered prayers, blessings and moments of reflection that strengthen the bonds of faith and unity among believers.
Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the state and across the world on the commencement of the month of Ramadan 1445.
The governor, who described the holy month as a blessed month in which Allah rewards the worship of the Muslim Ummah, charged Muslims to increase their prayers for the country and the state.
Governor Makinde called for increased prayers for the country amid the economic hardship facing the people, noting that though leaders have been doing everything to turn the situation around; prayers are of greater essence at this time.
He equally charged Muslims around the world to demonstrate the lessons of love, kindness and good neighbourliness as taught by Prophet Mohammed, admonishing those who have enough to remember their neighbours, as more people are going through hard times.
According to the governor, his administration had been doing everything possible to mitigate the effects of the economic hardship and it will not relent until life becomes better for all residents of the state.
He said: “I felicitate my Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of the commencement of the month of Ramadan 1445.
“This is another opportunity offered to us by Allah (SWT) to serve Him and seek His face and I will encourage all and sundry to make good use of the opportunity as always.
“I charge the Muslim Ummah to, as they have always done, pray for our dear State and Nigeria, as we have all come to realise that prayer remains the greatest key for believers to make things happen.
“We do know that our country is in a bit of economic hardship, but while we continue to look up to the leaders to do the needful, we must also support our hopes with prayers to God.
“I also want to charge my Muslim brothers and sisters, especially those who have in abundance, to remember their neighbours and show kindness.
“It is my prayer that Allah SWT will reward your acts of worship and accept it as Ibadah.”
Ramadan fast has commenced today Monday, 11th March.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar confirmed the date as the first day of Ramadan in Nigeria.
The Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar confirmed this in a broadcast at his palace in Sokoto on Sunday evening.
He said, “Today Sunday the 29th Day of Sha’aban 1445 after Hijra, equivalent to 10 March 2024, marks the end of Sha’aban 1445 AH, as the reports of moon sightings were received from Muslim leaders and other organizations across the country, which were duly verified and authenticated by the states and National moon sighting committee
According to the Sultan, Monday, the 11 of March, 2024, becomes the first day of Ramadan, 1445 AH and called on Muslims to commence fasting accordingly.
An Islamic cleric, Ustaz Abdulqudus Abdulfatai has advised Muslims to only slaughter rams that were free from any form of deformities during the Eid- El-Kabir celebration.
Ustaz Abdulfatai stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria.
The Islamic cleric noted that it was un-Islamic for any faithful to slaughter blind rams, one with broken horn or wounded during the celebration.
He maintained that goats, rams, camels and cattle are to be slaughtered in line with the practice of Prophet Ibrahim who was reputed to be the father of faith and first to celebrate Eid el Adha.
Ustaz Abdulfatai enjoined faithful, who could not afford to slaughter ram to avoid incurring debt to purchase ram but celebrate with moderation.
Radio Nigeria also spoke with some residents of Ibadan on their understanding of the significance of slaughtering animals by Muslims for Eidul Kabir.
Eid Kabir is celebrated during the first ten days of the month of Dhul hijja of an Islamic calendar and a day of Arafat.
Nigerian Muslims, under the leadership of the President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, have congratulated Christians on the Easter celebration.
In a statement by NSCIA’s Deputy Secretary General, Salisu Shehu, and addressed to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Daniel Okoh the NSCIA stated that Easter is a religious landmark that serves as a “springboard for spiritual renewal, religious re-awakening and general rebirth.”
“The Nigerian Muslim Ummah wishes you many happy returns of the seasons. We also wish you and ourselves a renewed commitment to holiness and righteousness to the glory of God and the greatness of our beloved country.
The Council also called for collaboration between NSCIA and CAN to unite to “admonish and discourage Pastors and Imams, from desecrating their pulpits with political partisanship and hate speech.”
“As a people of faith united by our father, Abraham, the recent history of our dear nation and faith communities are being threatened by the machinations of politicians.
These digressions can only be attributed to the handiwork of the devil, whose guile is ultimately weak indeed, Qur’an 4:47. Easter serves as another opportunity to redirect our attention to our shared values and ideals of fasting, love, prayer, penance and cooperation.
According to the President-General of the Council, the 2023 general election, specifically the presidential election, has been very divisive along ethnic and religious lines.
The State Director, Oyo State National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr. Kayode Odedokun, has sent his best wishes to Muslims and residents of Oyo State on the occasion of Id-el Adha.
The felicitation is contained in a Press Release signed by the Head, Media and Publicity of the agency, Alhaji Isiaka Kehinde.
Mr Odedokun pointed out that religion plays important role in the transformation of society as it lays down moral guidelines and virtues, which if adhered to promote wellbeing.
Mr Odedokun urged all Muslims and every Nigerian to continue the good deeds and eschew ignoble acts as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.
The NOA Director urged Nigerians to continue to foster peace and boost social integration in continuation of the collective quest to build a society where peace and progress could be attained.
The NOA Director further stated that; “As Nigerian Muslims celebrate, we should all be reminded that we are one Nigerian indivisible family. We must stand firmly in rejection of the voices that seek to divide us or limit our religious freedoms or civil rights and stand in celebration of our common humanity.”
The season, he added, provided an opportunity to focus, reflect, forgive patience and resilience for each lesson profound on its own and aggregate a harmonious whole of value-based society.
Mr Odedokun also enjoined all road users to take necessary precautions and to adhere to traffic rules for safe vehicular movement.
Ram plays significant role during the celebrations of Eid- il-Adha.
Every adult Muslim craves for ram to be slaughtered during the celebrations as instructed by the prophet Muhammed.
This special report examines its affordability in the present economic situation of the country especially, considering its significance in the celebration of Eid-el-Adah.
In years past, rams used to be seen on the road held by their owners indicating that, the festive season is around the corner.
Buying rams early gives family members opportunity to gather in different locations to partake in rams fighting games which usually attract a lot of spectators.
But the reverse is the case at the moment as the prices of ram have increased by at least one hundred percent compared with previous years.
A visit to some ram stands in Ibadan metropolis shows that the price ranges from 50 thousand to three hundred fifty thousand naira.
A ram seller from Borno state Mustapha Aminu attributed the hike in price to high cost of transporting them to Ibadan.
Another rams seller, also attributed the development to insecurity in the country. Some buyers at different stands shared their experiences .
Commenting on the significance of ram during Eid-il-Adha celebration ,an Islamic scholar, Mallam Ridwan Yusuf said the slaughtering of ram is in obedience to Allah’s directive to Prophet Muhammad.
According to Mallam Yusuf, matured camels, cows and goats are other animals that can be used to celebrate the festival.
Asides the issue of maturity, the animal must not have any form of deformity like broken ears, legs or horns.
He advised Muslims who are not financially capable of slaughtering rams to avoid unnecessary debts,as it is an act of worship to Allah and not to impress anybody.
The cleric added that those who can afford the rams should be generous to those who are around them.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II has congratulated the Muslims across the country on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration with a charge to them to deeply reflect on the historical and religious background of the annual celebration.
Oba Balogun, in a statement signed on his behalf by his Media Aide, Oladele Ogunsola and made available to journalists in Ibadan urged the adherents of the Islamic faith not to be carried away by winning and dinning that the slaughtering of rams would naturally attract, but the essence of the revered and significant event. Asking the Islamic faithful to let the spirit of sacrifice occasioned by total submission to the will of the Almighty Allah as demonstrated by the patriarch of the religion, Ibrahim (PBUH) be their guide, the monarch maintained that it is only by that the purpose of the celebration would not be lost.
According to him, “as we join our compatriots across the globe to celebrate the all-important religious festival, we should be mindful of the purpose of what we are celebrating. We must be conscious of the eternal love of the Almighty Allah for mankind, the undiluted faith in Him as well as total submission to His will which all manifested when the event that culminated in this celebration was originally held.
“It is also a time for sober reflection on the practice of Islam in the country. How loving are we to our fellow Muslims? How loving are we to our fellow citizens that do not share our religious beliefs? Are we worthy of people that others would want to follow and seek our Allah for the purpose of worshipping Him? All these are what we should also ponder on as we celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir”, the statement added.
Olubadan equally charged Muslims to take note of the mood of the nation as they celebrate, stressing that the level of insecurity in the land is of serious concern and notice must be taken of this very important aspect of the nation’s life in the course of the celebration. “It is very important that we do everything with moderation and shun anything that can trigger violence”, Olubadan added.
The monarch also counselled that the occasion should be used to prayerfully intercede for the country not only to succeed in her current war against insurgency and other challenges but also to have peaceful, free and fair elections come 2023, reminding that the next year election is capable of making or mar this country.
As Muslim Ummah in Oyo State joins other Muslims worldwide to celebrate Eid Al-Adha, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin has assured people of the state of a better future.
The Oyo Central senator made the statement in his felicitation message to Muslims on the occasion of the most-celebrated Islamic festival.
The message reads in full:
Asalam Alaykum Waramotulah Wabarakatuhu
On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, I have the pleasure of conveying my warmest greetings to the Muslim Ummah in Oyo State and beyond. The Holy Festival symbolizes redemption, sacrifice, forgiveness, altruism and love.
In the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims should imbibe the injunctions of Prophet Muhammed (SAW), which teach humility, gratitude and charity towards one another.
The sacrifice of Prophet Ibraheem, which we celebrate, must spur us on to sacrifice for the progress and prosperity of Oyo State and Nigeria. Sacrificing for our state and country means giving our best in our various areas of endeavour.
Fellow citizens of Oyo State, let’s celebrate this Holy Festival with optimism and unflinching hope that a better tomorrow awaits the Pacesetter State.
Let’s take the opportunity of this Holy occasion to pray for Oyo State and Nigeria to overcome the current security and economic crises.
May the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha, with its message of solidarity and unity, bring prosperity, success and happiness to all of us.
PR/Oluwakayode Banjo
Sallah: Aare Akogun Urges Tolerance, Religious Harmony
Muslims in Oyo State and Nigeria have been urged to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and religious harmony as the country marks the Eid el Kabir festival.
This call was made by Honourable Abiola- Ajimobi on Friday in the Eid el Kabir message issued by Lateef Alade his media aide, to Muslim faithful in Oyo state and across Nigeria.
He urged the faithful to reflect on the essence of the festival, which he described as the time for renewal of our obedience and commitment to peace.
The Aare Akogun Musulumi who’s currently on Holy pilgrimage said the Eid-el-Kabir festival signifies an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on the faith, with which Ibrahim (Abraham) willingly agreed to sacrifice his only son and let go of his prized asset, just in obedience to the command of Allah (SWT), he said.
He implored the Muslim faithful to lay aside all forms of religious, ethnic and tribal sentiments, “in the interest of unity, peace, progress and prosperity of the state and country.”
The Aare Akogun Musulumi also urged Nigerians to fervently pray for the prosperity of the state and the nation and eschew acts capable of denying them the blessings of Allah (SWT).
PR/ Oluwakayode Banjo
Osun Speaker Calls for Prayers ahead of Elections
The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye Wants Residents to intensify prayers for the peace and stability of the State and Nation for the upcoming Governorship as well as the 2023 General Elections.
Mr Owoeye in a Sallah message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kunle Alabi said the call became imperative to attain the desired Sustainable Socio-Economic growth.
The Speaker, while congratulating the Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, said Nigerians should strive to create an atmosphere of peace and sustain harmonious co-existence.
Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, Speaker, Mr Timothy Owoeye
He enjoined Muslims and people of other faith in the state to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, which is the symbol of the Eid-el- Kabir celebration, saying the importance of this festive period remains a collective ability to live together in peace.
Mr Owoeye, while assuring that the Seventh Assembly under his leadership would always work for the betterment of the people’s interest, called for more citizens’ collaborations with the government with a view to enable it to deliver as expected.
He said, “We must continue to strive and pray for peace in Osun, Nigeria, and the world. Only peace can guarantee meaningful development.
“People of Osun and Nigerians should desist from all acts capable of breaching the peace of the state and country, as the State and country gear up toward elections in 2022 and 2023.
“Nigeria is a country of unity in diversity, and our dear Osun holds a pride of place as a land of the Virtuous where all religions continue to live in peace and harmony with each other.
“We must ensure that we eschew all forms of violence before, during, and after the elections, Osun people and Nigerians should vote for the candidate of their choice without intimidation”.
Mojisola Oladele
In the same vain, Oyo state council of Radio, Television, Theater and Arts workers’ union, RATTAWU, has felicitated with Muslim faithful on this year’s Eid El Kabir celebration.
In a statement signed by the state secretary of the union, Mr Kehinde Olayade, RATTAWU urged Muslims to embrace the virtues of love and sacrifice during this period and beyond.
The union also prayed to Allah to spare the lives of the faithful to witness more Eid El Kabir celebrations.
Oyo State Director, NOA, Mr Kayode Odedokun has felicitated the Muslim faithful at the end of Ramadan.
The Director, in a message made available to the press in the State, said Nigerians should look beyond fasting as self-abstinence from the consumables but begin to uphold the teachings inherent in the occasion which is the purity of the souls, charity and caring for others.
Mr Kayode Femi Odedokun maintained that “the beauty of Ramadan is to know how the less privileged bear the pang of hunger and thirst.”
The State Director further urged Nigerians to patronize our homemade goods as a major leap towards ensuring a more stable economy and a better Nigeria.
He rejoiced with both the Muslims and non-Muslims in the state, the country and the world at large on the auspicious occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitri, praying that “may we witness more of it”.
As Ramadan enters the seventh day, the Chief Imam Ataqwa mosque, Awotan, Ibadan Ustadh Isiaq Abdulhameed wants muslims to move closer to Allah by increasing all prescribed acts of worship.
He stated this during a jumat service held in Ibadan.
The cleric enjoined muslims to imbibe the acts of almsgiving and feeding the poor to exemplify the teachings of Islam.
While calling on the faithfuls to shun sinful acts and turn to Allah for forgiveness, Ustadh Abdulhameed urged muslims not to allow distractions to deprive them of the obligation of worship and recitation of Quran.
Ustadh Abdulhameed enjoined muslims to take advantage of multiple rewards in Ramadan to move closer to Allah by increasing all prescribed acts of worship.
As Muslims all over the world celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has urged the faithful to uphold the lessons and tenets of Ramadan.
In his Eld-el-fitri message, Governor Abiodun called on the Muslim faithful to continue to promote unity and harmony that formed the basis of the holy month.
While noting that Muslims had engaged in the spiritual exercise for the past one month as directed by Allah, the Governor congratulated them for witnessing the end of the fasting and urged them to celebrate El-el-fitri with moderation.
The Governor also urged the Muslims to continue to pray for peace and unity in the country, particularly in the face of security and economic challenges.
He however urged the faithful to observe COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines during and after the celebration, adding that the pandemic is far from over.
After years of legal framework, the Osun State Government has finally approved the use of hijab in public schools.
According to the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Education, Mrs Christianah Olaniyan, only female students are allowed to use the the religious dress that it should not be below the navel.
Mrs Olaniyan said the hijab should not be made compulsory by school authorities for all students, especially non-Muslims.
She therefore warned public schools against flouting the directive, stressing that the move would be in contempt of court.
It will be recalled that the state Muslim community in February 2013 took government to court seeking an order granting female Muslim students the permission to use hijab in schools.
The court granted the order with a clause that the hijab should not be below the navel of the female students.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has felicitated with Muslim faithful in the state on New Year Hijrah 1442 AH, which begins on Friday, 21 August, 2020. The governor wished Muslims in the state, Nigeria and across the world a new year filled with blessings and benevolence of the Almighty Allah.
Governor Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the state on the opportunity to witness a new Islamic year, urging them not to relent in praying for the state and the country.
He enjoined Muslims to continue to demonstrate good neighbourliness, love and dedication to the state.
According to him, the essence of Hijrah is that it is a process of transfer to a better situation, a search for an environment more favorable to continuous and constructive effort. Governor Makinde commended the Muslim Ummah for the immense contributions they continue to make to the progress of the state and wish them a successful and prosperous Hijrah 1442 AH.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu wants Muslim faithful in Ondo State to see the essence of Eid-el-Kabir festival beyond merrymaking.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ojo Oyewamide, Mr Akeredolu enjoins the faithful to imbibe the religious festival’s lessons in their daily activities.
Governor Akeredolu describes Eid-el-Kabir’s key lesson as total obedience to the commands of Allah as shown by the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son on Mount Moriah.
Governor Akeredolu, who tags the rewards of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience as mercy and grace, says apart from teaching faith, trust and total submission to the will of Allah, Eid-el-Kabir is also about peace, the habit of sharing with the needy and showing love towards humanity.
He also enjoins them to support efforts of his government to halt the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the state by observing all the prescribed precautionary measures.
On the October 10th Gubernatorial election in the state, the governor urges them to continue to pray for peace and also calls for religious harmony between the Muslim faithful and their Christian brothers.
For almost a month now, Muslims all over the world have embarked on Ramadan fasting.
The end of the spiritual exercise is marked with Eidul-Fitri celebration which is preceded with 2 Rakaat prayer which is observed in the morning with a large congregation at open grounds.
In this report, Ridwan Fasasi examines observance of Eidul-Fitri amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
There was an inter-religious prayers at the palace of Owa-Ale of Ikare Akoko, against the coronavirus pandemic as a substitute for the popular annual Aringiya Festival which was supposed to hold today in the ancient city but was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The maiden festival was cancelled for this year due to the government’s directive on social distancing to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
During the prayers held by few religious leaders, the Owa-Ale of Ikare, Oba Kolapo Adegbite-Adedoyin urged Nigerians especially Muslims, to use the ongoing Ramadan fast to seek the face of God for an early cure to the disease.
Oba Adegbite-Adedoyin said the Aringiya festival which has been used to celebrate maidens in the town for about 800 years now, was shelved this year in the interest of the people, as it usually attracted a large crowd.
The monarch who prayed for all inhabitants, sons and daughters of Ikareland, home and abroad, also sought God’s guidance for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in running the affairs of the country and Ondo state.
Owa-Ale advised the political class to imbibe tolerance and decorum for a hitch-free governorship election in the state which is set for October 10, this year.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has felicitated with Muslims in the state for witnessing the commencement of the Ramadan fast.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, he urges Islamic faithful to pray relentlessly during the fasting period and specifically ask the Almighty Allah to show mercy on the people.
Governor Makinde said Muslims must embrace the piety demanded of them during the Ramadan and ask Allah to put an end to Covid-19, which is ravaging the whole world.
He also enjoined Muslims in the state to use the month-long fasting period to pray for the peace of the state and the country at large.
The statement reminds Muslim across the state not to gather for Tafsir, Iftar and Tarawih prayers during the Ramadan, due to the restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He enjoined Muslim to use the opportunity of this month of blessings to seek Allah’s forgiveness to make the pandemic a thing of the past.
He also admonished Muslims to tune their minds to the messages of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence inherent in the messages of the Holy Prophet, while also being their brothers’ keepers.
