A former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has told Muslims to embrace the virtues of forgiveness and common understanding as they join their counterparts across the globe to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

A spokesman for Atiku said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja quoted the APC stalwart as saying that one of the basic components of Ramadan was to seek mercy of God.

According to the statement, when God forgives our sins, it becomes imperative for us as humans to extend the grace of forgiveness and common understanding to other human beings.

The statement congratulated Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan fasting.

It said that Ramadan was a season of abundant grace from God, especially at a time such as now, when Nigeria was at the threshold of a new beginning.

The statement advised that all hands must be on deck to close ``old gaps’’ in order to support the new political leadership.

``As Muslims, we must live our lives by the examples of Prophet Muhammed in ensuring that we build peace and common understanding in our families and communities.

``As citizens of Nigeria, we must come together to close old gaps and create new understanding that will ensure that the political leadership succeeds in the objective of giving us a new beginning as a country.

``Let us use the end of the Ramadan fasting to promote a re-awakening of peace and unity in our personal lives, our communities and in Nigeria at large.” (NAN)

Photo shows: Atiku