President Muhammadu Buhari has sent best wishes to Muslims as they commence 30 days of compulsory Ramadan fasting, urging that they use the season “to project the best and finest virtues of Islam by personal conduct, and not precept.”
In a goodwill message to mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, issued by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja, Buhari said: “Let us use this opportunity to put the best teachings of Islam into practice, such as kindness and the love of humanity.
According to Buhari, Ramadan is characterised by abstention from food and drinks from dawn to dusk, which brings both the rich and poor to share the experience of hunger together, thereby strengthening the bonds between haves and have-nots. This is an occasion for deep reflection and greater fear of Allah and avoidance of all evils that harm humanity.
Furthermore, President Muhammadu Buhari implore Muslims in Nigeria not to forget that Ramadan is not only about abstention from eating and drinking, but it is a reminder to refrain from all kinds of evil and transgressions that harm humanity.”
The president frowned at the way some traders artificially hike the prices of their goods during this holy month. Especially sellers of consumer goods and says he is aware of the activities of such traders and buttressed this fact saying such exploitation is against the spirit of the Ramadan and the spirit of Islam,” Buhari added
He also enjoined the wealthy individuals and organizations to extend their acts of charity to the less privileged members in the society Because by sharing our blessings with others, Allah will multiply our rewards for good deeds.
Iwitness / Zainab Y Hamza