Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State, has congratulated Muslims in the state and throughout the country as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Dr. Fayemi, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, asked the Muslim Ummah to preserve the festival’s foundational values of love, loyalty, and sacrifice both during and after the festivities.
The Governor stated that the Eid-el-Kabir became a significant festival when Prophet Ibraheem gained a rich recompense for his showed patience and total confidence in God by being steadfast in his faith during the challenging period.
According to Dr. Fayemi, this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration provides another chance for serious contemplation and spiritual refreshment, which Allah requires of the faithful.
He asked Muslims and people of other religions in the country to practise peaceful coexistence and work together for a more peaceful, unified, and prosperous Nigeria.
Nigerians, he believes, must learn the values of devotion, dedication, and loyalty to higher authority, as shown by Prophet Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his son in submission to God’s will, which Eid-el-Kabir celebrates.
“This symbolic Islamic festival is a constant reminder to us that, there will always be great rewards when we have abiding faith and patience during trying periods and remain persistent in prayers.
“It also reminds us of the sacrifice we are to make not only for spiritual fulfilment but for the development of our society and advancement of humanity. Development and progress would only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace, unity and mutual respect. We must, therefore, eschew situations that can further divide us as a people.”
He also asked Muslim faithful to pray for peace in the country as they observe the Arafat rituals, stressing that the passionate prayers of various religious organisations and people had accounted for a big part of the recent relative peace and progress.
“I extend warm greetings to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir Sallah festival. I wish the good people of Ekiti State and Nigeria the joy, peace and blessing of the season.
“As we celebrate, let us remember the poor and the needy in line with God’s injunction to be our brother’s keeper. Quite importantly, it is also a time to pray for our dear country to overcome current security and economic challenges”, he added.