Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, has urged Muslims to emulate the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, and submissiveness to the will of God, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim to achieve success in life.
Etsu Nupe made the appeal in his sallah message to Muslims in his domain and other Nigerians to mark the Eid-al-Adhah celebration at the Idi prayer ground in Bida on Friday.
“Today’s celebration is a commemoration of total submissiveness and obedience to the will of Allah, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail.
“It is also a lesson on the virtue of keeping our promises to Allah and to our fellow man,” Mr Abubakar said.
The traditional ruler advised Muslims to shun societal ills and always endeavour to do good for the betterment of all.
He implored the ‘Muslim Ummah’ in his domain and the country at large to reflect on the significance of the celebration, which bordered on encouraging piety, sacrifice and love.
Mr Abubakar admonished Nigerians to strive to live in peace with one another, irrespective of their religious, political, cultural, and ethnic affinities.
Mr Abubakar also appealed to wealthy individuals in the country to assist the less privileged, enabling all to celebrate Sallah with ease.
The monarch charged the Muslim faithful in the country to continue praying to God to assist President Bola Tinubu and other elected and appointed leaders in overcoming the current economic meltdown.
He charged his people to send their children to school to acquire both Western and Islamic knowledge.
He also prayed for the safe return of the Muslims who are in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s pilgrimage.
The chief imam of Nupe, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, in his sermon, advised the Muslim faithful to always fear God and remember the Day of Judgment.
He called on those who prayed and fasted for the 30 days to internalise and practise the social and moral objectives of the holy month.
