President Goodluck Jonathan on
Saturday in Abuja restated that the activities of terrorist groups
across the world had nothing to do with Islam.
The
president stated this when a delegation of the Muslim community led by
Vice President Namadi Sambo paid him Sallah homage at his official
residence in the Presidential Villa.
Jonathan maintained that
there was nothing Islamic about the atrocities being perpetrated by Boko
Haram in Nigeria or Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Iraq who claimed
to be fighting for the propagation of Islam.
“What is happening
globally now has no religious basis. Only yesterday, a British aid
worker was slaughtered by ISIS and that is not Islamic.
“Boko
Haram killing innocent children and women in market places, in mosques
and schools definitely has nothing to do with religion,” he said.
The
president noted that this year’s Sallah celebration was significant,
citing certain natural coincidences which, according to him, showed that
something good was happening to Nigeria.
“This year is quite
significant in terms of celebration of Sallah, because the Day of Arafat
coincided with a Friday, and from what I was told it takes a long time
to have that coincidence.
“And remembering the fact that 2014 is our centenary year, it shows that something good is happening to this country.
“We
may have our challenges as other nations, but when things begin to
happen in a particular way, I begin to see light at the end of the
tunnel.
“A number of things that have to do with our belief system
suppose to encourage us to see our neighbours as ourselves,’’ he said.
While
congratulating Muslims all over the world, the president urged them to
use the period to seek God’s mercy for those hiding behind religion to
perpetrate evil.
He restated his belief in Nigeria, emphasising
that the country had a lot to offer not only to its citizens but also to
the entire world.
“Whatever obstacles we see are very ephemeral and part of history of nation building.
“If you read the history of all nations, there is no nation that does not pass through some challenges.
“But, they got over them and moved ahead; I think we are getting over our problems,’’ he said.
Earlier, the vice president had prayed for peace and unity in the country.
He
also prayed that Allah would grant the president the strength,
wisdom and good health to lead the country out of its current
challenges.
Among the vice president’s entourage were the National
Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; the Acting Inspector General of
Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
National Chairman, Bello Haliru.
Others included Primate, Church
of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; former
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, the
Deputy Chief Imam of Federal Capital Territory, Sheik Ahmed Onilewura.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day of Arafat falls on the 2nd day of pilgrimage activities in Saudi Arabia.
On this day, the pilgrims make their way from Mecca to a nearby hillside, Arafat, to pray for peace. (NAN)
0 blogger-facebook:
Post a Comment