As Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, Muslim scholars and clerics have urged states and local councils to demonstrate clear and measurable impact from the increased allocations they receive from the Federal Government.

They decried the level of hardship in the country and stressed that there should be a deliberate focus on meeting the basic needs of citizens, especially through critical infrastructure development and sustainable poverty alleviation programmes aimed at achieving economic freedom.

The clerics also charged the Federal Government to tackle the issue of insecurity headlong.

In his Sallah message, the Chief Missioner of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Imam Abdu-Azeez Morufu Onike, said leaders should be held accountable when situations in the country are not palatable. He, however, noted that they should be given reasonable time to fix structural reforms.

Admitting that there are security challenges, Onike stated that there are visible signs of institutional restructuring, regional cooperation, and economic measures aimed at addressing the root causes of instability and insecurity.

He enjoined Nigerians to commend leaders that have done well and not to be judgmental in their approach to issues.

Onike advised Nigerians to bear with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and give him the benefit of the doubt, noting that Islam discourages rash conclusions and public agitation, while encouraging trust in leadership processes and expert judgment.

Also, the Chief Imam of UNILAG Muslim Community (UMC), Prof. Ismail Musa, in his Sallah message, urged the federal and state governments to show compassion on ordinary Nigerians who bear the heaviest burden of social disorder, conflicts, and wars.

He stressed that the leaders should not lose sight of the obvious challenges confronting the nation such as fear, insecurity, and uncertainty.

Reminding leaders that Nigerians need economic and moral boom, he called on all and sundry to wage a collective battle against poverty, disease, and all forms of human suffering. He said that the welfare of all Nigerians must be the priority of everyone irrespective of faith.

Musa said: “As Muslims celebrate, they must remember those who cannot. Let the hunger, thirst, and deprivation experienced during Ramadan inspire them to greater generosity and compassion towards all humanity.”

Similarly, the Chief Imam of Adisat Central Mosque, Mushin, Lagos, Sheikh Muhammad Manzoor Olohuntosin Shile, tasked the Federal Government on insecurity and the unity of the country. He also urged the government to address the problem of infrastructure deficit, saying that Nigerians and investors would gain more if that is done.

Shile warned Muslims against anger, saying it is the origin of all atrocities experienced in the world today. He admonished Muslims to continue to abide in teachings of the Holy Month and practice the same for their spiritual and physical well-being as well as the country.

In the same vein, the Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alatoye Azeez Folorunso, called for a peaceful world through sharing of love and upholding the dignity of mankind.

In his Eid-el-Fitr message, the Amir, while speaking on the theme, ‘Seek the Love of Allah to Achieve the Purpose of Your Creation,’ noted that the just concluded Ramadan was a trying period, not only for the Muslim ummah, but the whole of mankind.

He recounted the effects of the upheavals in the Middle East, occasioned by the ongoing attacks and counterattacks in the region, and regretted that the precarious situation the world found itself in the recent weeks could not have arisen if mankind had lived in accordance with the commandment of its creator.

The Islamic leader said Ramadan was a reminder to return to the purpose of man’s creation and thus seek the love of Allah.

Folorunso said: “It was a time when more attention was paid to the worship of Allah and to accommodate the needs of our fellow human beings. It was a time when most Muslims shunned mundane things, avoided trouble, and lived humbled lives. It was a time when Muslims shared what they had with others for the love of Allah.”

He, therefore, urged Muslims to remember that what they did to earn Allah’s love during the month should not stop, but should be continued until they are privileged to witness another Ramadan. (Guardian)

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