The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has congratulated Nigerians, particularly Muslims for the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting, urging them to imbibe spirit of forgiveness and be ambassadors of peace to their fellow Nigerians.
Obasa, in his Ed-el-Fitri message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Razak, also praised the sacrifice and spiritual commitment of all Nigerians, with particular reference to Muslims throughout the fasting period .
‘‘I congratulate all Nigerians, especially my Muslim brothers and sisters for their perseverance, sacrifice and spiritual commitment during the fasting. It is hoped that sacrifices made will transform to making us ambassadors of peace in our individual and collective endeavours to others and Nigeria as a country,’’ he said.
The significance of the fasting, according to him, thrives on the ‘‘threshold of sacrifice, assisting the less privileged, feeding the poor and forgiveness’’. He went further to assert that ‘‘Ramadan fasting is a time of forgiveness from Almighty Allah.’
‘‘If we are forgiven by God, we also hold it as a responsibility to forgive one another. This is when our prayers and fasting can be accepted by Allah, the Lord of forgiveness”.
While calling all Muslims to remain steadfast to the ideals of Islam and purpose of Ramadan fasting, the Speaker asked Nigerians to shun all forms of violence and embrace activities that promote peace and development in the society.
He further explained that being law abiding, and living together in peace with neighbours, engenders growth and development.
Obasa therefore admonished that at this point of decline in our economy; good believers of Allah (SWT) should employ the lessons of Ramadan in their daily dealings and stay benevolent even after this season.
He also advised that they neglect all and every negative calls to trigger trouble in our country, through religious extremism. He said Islam preaches peace and anything contrary is not of Allah (swt).