5 messages from Nigerian Muslim leaders

Muslims, across the world, are celebrating the 2016 Eid el-Fitr.

As such, religious leaders are offering words of advice to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan fasting, Vanguard reports.

On Wednesday (July 6, 2016), the Sultan of Sokoto,

1. He urged Nigerians to embrace farming, rather than importation.

“Nigerians are really facing difficult times, occasioned by the global financial crunch, due to the falling prices of oil. But happily, God, in His infinite mercy has endowed Nigeria with vast fertile land, with each region having its own peculiar comparative advantage. We should, therefore, collectively go back to the farms, and engage in both rain-fed and dry season farming. With this, we can produce adequate food to be locally self-sufficient and even export the surplus", he said.

2. The Sultan encouraged Muslims to acquire both Western and religious education.

“Education is the only key to success and no nation can fully develop without according it the priority attention it deserves,’’ he said.

ALSO READ: Sultan of Sokoto directs Muslims to continue fast

3. Alhaji Alkali Pindiga, the Chief Imam of the Gombe Central Mosque, called on believers to pray for peace.

“We need to continue to pray for peace to reign in Gombe and the country at large,“ he said.

ALSO READ: Pope Francis urges Osun state residents to live in peace

4. Lt. Col. Abubakar Tahir, the Imam of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, advised wealthy Muslims to help the under-privileged.

“God created the rich and the poor for the purpose of those that are rich to use their wealth to help the poor ones. Be contented with what you have and be a source of happiness to others. Be mindful of God and do not follow your heart’s desires,’’ he advised.

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5. The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, spoke against rumour peddling.

“No nation has ever witnessed development in an atmosphere of rancour, acrimony, disunity, and war. We, therefore, call on our subjects in particular, and Nigerians in general, to shun all forms of rumour peddling as it will certainly breach the prevailing peace", he said.