Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has observed that Nigerians would not be able to appreciate God’s love while killings of innocent souls and hateful rhetoric remain the order of the day.
He made the observation in his message, on Monday, on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
“We would not be able to fully appreciate the love from God if we allow the killing of innocent souls and propagation of hateful rhetoric become a norm amongst us,” he stated.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 election, observed that Eid-el-Kabir teaches and reminds citizens of the meaning of sacrifice, love and forbearance with God and in relationships with one another.
He added: “As Muslims more especially, Eid-el-Kabir and the stories of Prophets Ibrahim and Ishmael (Peace and Blessings of Allah be with them) that accompany it requires that we take the whole of humanity as one nation.
“The significance of the celebration today is rooted in peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and tolerance. These are the virtues that we, as Nigerians, need to imbibe as we seek to heal our country of all shades of mistrust.
“According to the teachings of Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the slaughtering of animals in celebration of this festival is to evoke and reinforce the consciousness of God in all our deeds and wishes.”
He congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the celebration saying: “May I remind you of our beloved Prophet’s saying that, ‘no nation is superior to the other. But the best amongst you is the one with the best piety to Allah.”
