By Mohammed Tijjani
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has urged Muslims to intensify prayers for stability, economic wellbeing and peace of Nigeria.
The Secretary General of JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.
Aliyu said JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the successful commencement of the month of Ramadan 1444 AH (2023CE).
According to him, this year’s Ramadan is however unique in many ways.
“Coming at the heels of the just concluded 2023 General Elections, and within the midst of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) currency policy that is still biting too hard on the citizens, despite efforts in ameliorating its negative impacts.
“We should use this year’s Ramadan period to seek more of Allah’s favours and equally pray fervently for the newly elected leaders at all levels for Allah’s guidance, support and wisdom to steer the country out of its present predicaments to greater heights,” he urged.
The secretary general said being among the chosen ones to witness this blessed month, “we are expected to perform all spiritual acts associated with Ramadan”.
“The very best we could and engage in spiritual introspection to rediscover our relationship with Allah, the Most High, in our respective undertakings.
“We should use the period to ask these soul searching questions; do we really want Allah, the Most High, to be pleased with us?
“So we actually believe in the life after death and yet we commit all forms of mind-boggling atrocities?
“Do we seek for Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and apt intervention over the many ills we are presently facing in the country?
“This is the time to remain meditative and diligently work for redemption,” he admonished the faithful.
Aliyu therefore advised that Ramadan Tafsir must be observed with all decorum, honesty and fear of Allah, such that they will actually be the guidance path for the Ummah and their respective voices will ultimately make the desired impact on the Ummah at any point in time.
“We therefore call on the scholars to strive in sensitising the Ummah on the need for peaceful co-existence.
“We also use this medium to call on all those that have taken up arms against the state to in the spirit of Ramadan fear the wrath of Allah in a condition of turpitude.”
Aliyu also urged the government, to as a matter of national interest and from the point of security threat, arrest and prosecute all perpetrators of heinous crimes against humanity in any part of the country.
“May Allah guide our leaders, both spiritual and temporal, to what is good and better for the nation and the people,” he said.
The general scribe said the Sultan of Sokoto wishes Nigerian Muslims an accepted Ramadan fast, just as he prayed to Allah to spare our lives to witness more Ramadan in good health and complete faith in Him. (NAN)
