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AfricCon Report - Friday From Afric-tv24
Eid-el-Fitr, variously called the Festival of Breaking of the Fast, Feast of Breaking the Fast, Sugar Feast, Bayram (Bajram), Sweet Festival, the Lesser Eid and Sallah, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of (compulsory) fasting.
Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, falls in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims are expected to observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food – rice, corn, millet, wheat, guinea corn, etc. – to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various families and friends, give gifts and host people to eat, drink and have fun through picnicking, visiting parks, gardens, zoos, museums, etc.
The unity, camaraderie and bonding the fasting period usually engenders among Muslims, Christians and people of different tribes through breaking the fast together extends to the sallah celebration days, as visits and gifts continue between the people.
In all these, the Emirs (anglicised Amir [Leader]) play a great role in uniting the different people in their domains, maintaining peace, law and order and leading by example. Therefore, after the prayers, the Emirs host people paying homage, doling out gifts and speaking to their people on their expectations so as to have better communities.
Even though the security challenges being faced in the north have robbed the Sallah of some of its splendour, Emirs nonetheless share messages of love:
Sultan harps on fear of GodThe Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, in his Eid-el-Kabir sermon, yesterday, tasked leaders of both religions in the country to preach with the fear of God.
The Sultan, who noted that a majority of clerics now place selfish interests even above that of the Almighty Allah whom they claim to be serving and their followers, also warned that inciting preaching is not healthy for any nation.
While commending the effort of the federal government in striving towards ensuring lasting peace in the country, the Sultan said he was optimistic that the committee constituted by the federal government on insurgency would achieve favourable result with time.
According to him, “Preachers of both faiths should fear Allah and live above their own selfish interests while preaching to their followers. They should avoid provocative statements that could lead to the breach of peace that is capable of breeding violence in the country”. He further pleaded with both faithful Christians and Muslims to stop interfering in the affairs of one another.
On the lingering security and other avoidable challenges confronting the nation, the Sultan also called on leaders at all levels to fear Allah and not betray the trust placed on their shoulders while leading their subjects.
“The precarious situation of the nation is only due to bad governance and neglect of divine injunctions. Most of the leaders are busy amassing wealth and forgetting their subjects that they are meant to serve,” he said.
Cheering News From BornoWith gradual return of peace to Borno State, the traditional Sallah Durbar (horse parade) was held for the first time since 2009 amidst fanfare at the Shehu’s palace yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Governor Kashim Shettima was in attendance as special guest of honour and it was the first time a sallah durbar was held since he became Governor of Borno state in May, 2011.
The peaceful and colourful durbar took place soon after the Eid prayers which were conducted at Ramat square, some two kilometers away from the Shehu’s palace in Maiduguri. It was held following emergence of relative peace in the State owing to security operations and activities of youth volunteers nicknamed ‘civilian JTF’ who have been haunting boko haram insurgents in Maiduguri and other parts of the state.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El kanemi had suspended the traditional sallah durbar since 2009 for fear of insurgency attacks. The first major boko haram crisis took place in July, 2009 leading to the deaths of hundreds of persons, amongst them insurgents, security agents and innocent citizens.
Emir of Katsina harps on peaceful co-existenceEmir of Katsina HRH Abdulmumini Kabir Usman tasked residents on peaceful coexistence even as he urged Nigerians to pray for an end to insurgency.
Addressing the Muslim faithful in Katsina, yesterday, on the occasion of the Sallah celebration, the Emir said no efforts should be spared in ensuring peaceful coexistence.
“We must support every effort geared towards ensuring peace. Although Katsina is peaceful, we should not fold our arms and relax; let us ensure sustained prayers for more peace here and in places having challenges,” he said.
The Emir equally made a case for tree planting so as to combat the menace of desertification and directed district, village and ward heads to mobilise people for the tree-planting exercise.
Mixed emotions in KanoIn Kano, the Sallah was celebrated amidst mixed emotions. For the first time in his 50-year reign, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, LLD, JP, missed the Eid prayer and Sallah cultural durbar. It was officially announced that he was abroad for medical attention following his age-related deteriorating health condition.
The senior counsellor in the Kano emirate, Wambai of Kano Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, represented the emir at the Eid prayer (Eid-el-fitr) held at regular Kofar Mata Eid ground.
Millions of Muslim faithful across the state attended the Eid prayers at various Eid grounds in the city of Kano and the neighbourhood, amidst tight security of armed police, military men among other security agents in mufti and paramilitary outfits.
The Emir, who spoke through the Wambai, shared the great moment of Eid-el-Fitr with the people of Kano and prayed for continuous peace to reign in the state and the country, prosperity, good health and a bumper harvest in this year’s rainy period.
A yearly event, Eid-el-fitr is culturally celebrated: the Emir and his horse-riding entourage comprising his children, royalists and kingmakers went round major city roads to receive homage from his subjects who usually gathered along the streets.
The Wambai announced: “The Emir of Kano has directed me to inform the general public that this year’s cultural durbar is cancelled and for the district heads to stay back at their various local government areas and observe possible cultural functions.”
He added: “On Saturday each and every traditional title holder should be at Emir’s palace; together we proceed to the Government House, Kano, to pay the only traditional function of raising to the spirits of the Kano governor.”
In Yobe, an olive branch to insurgentsIn Yobe, a state at the receiving end of the Boko Haram insurgency, the chairman of the Council of Chiefs, the Emir of Fika, HRH Dr Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammadu Idrissa, appealed to the insurgents to cease fire and come forward for dialogue. He made the plea in his Sallah message in Potiskum.
He advised parents to monitor the behaviour of their children in order for them to shun bad companies.
According to him, “dialogue, as everybody says, is the best way to get room for peace as the federal government has been talking about dialogue... With dialogue, I think, we would build up peace in Yobe State and the country”. He went further: “I would like to call on youths who mostly take part in what is going on to eschew violence, tread the path of peace, for without peace there will be no development...I also call on government to come up with policies that will bring an end to youth restiveness; when the youths have nothing to do, they will take the path of violence and destruction, so we advise government to come up with vocational training and also create more jobs for the youths and more educational facilities.”
In Ilorin, another call for peaceThe Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari yesterday in his Sallah message enjoined Nigerian Muslims to sustain the peace and tranquillity that reigned during the just concluded Ramadan.
After observing the two raka’ah prayers to mark the end of the Muslims’ fast at Ilorin Eid praying ground, he said that the nation needs peace and stability to progress.
Addressing the congregation, the Emir of Ilorin prayed for peace in his domain, Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.
He thanked the security agents in the state for their unrelenting efforts at ensuring that peace reigns supreme in the state at all times.
The frontline monarch also called for unity among Nigerian politicians, so that the nation’s hard-earned democracy would not be truncated.
Etsu Nupe seek constitutional role for traditional rulersThe Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in his Sallah address to his people yesterday in Bida, said that his people should be tolerant and accommodate people of other religion even as the Royal Father advocated a constitutional role for traditional rulers as a way of curbing insecurity in the county.
Emir of Gwandu calls for continuous prayer for peaceThe Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar has enjoined Muslims in the country to intensify prayers for Allah to continue to unite and shower peace in Nigeria.
The Emir made the call shortly after the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in Birnin Kebbi at the Fakon Idi Praying Ground yesterday, attended by the Kebbi State Acting Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Khalid Aliyu, the Minister for Special Duties, Alh. Kabiru Turaki (SAN), Commissioners and thousands of Muslims.
The Gwandu Monarch who is also the Kebbi State Chairman, Council of Chiefs, thanked God for his benevolence to Nigeria in spite of the security challenges facing the country, urging Muslims to intensify their prayers for peace even after the Ramadan fasting.
“I want to thank God for this period and urge all Muslims to intensify prayers for peace and unity of Nigeria even after the Ramadan fast and people should continue to be good to one another’’, the Emir said.
He also lamented about the moral decadence in the society and the negative character of our children who engage in immoral acts such as drug abuse, calling for change of attitude and parents to be vigilant about the movement of their wards.
He further enjoined people to give security operatives in the country maximum support in their effort to tackle insecurity and report any suspicious character in their midst.
Emir of Zazzau on retaining Ramadan lessonsThe Chairman, Kaduna State council of Chiefs, the Emir of Zazzau, HRH, Alhaji Shehu Idris charged Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan to guarantee prevailing peace in the country. He made the call in his Sallah message marking this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration held in his palace.
“Ramadan teaches us patience, perseverance, love, assistance to the needy, trust, honesty and above all the fear of God The Emir called on his subjects to promote peace at all levels, saying that no society would witness meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancho, acrimony and loyalty to breach of peace. He warned them against rumour peddling and any acts detrimental to the present peace being experienced in the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all and sundry to give necessary cooperation to security agencies in their bid to curtail the rate of crime in our society.
“Let me commend the efforts of Ulamas, who conducted the Ramadan Tafsir peacefully without using abusive words against one another,” he noted.
The Emir advised the people to be cautious of accommodating visitors they did not know until they conduct proper investigation on them. Idris advised parents to do everything possible to ensure proper upbringing of their children.
Eid-el-Fitr, variously called the Festival of Breaking of the Fast, Feast of Breaking the Fast, Sugar Feast, Bayram (Bajram), Sweet Festival, the Lesser Eid and Sallah, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of (compulsory) fasting.
Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, falls in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims are expected to observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food – rice, corn, millet, wheat, guinea corn, etc. – to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various families and friends, give gifts and host people to eat, drink and have fun through picnicking, visiting parks, gardens, zoos, museums, etc.
The unity, camaraderie and bonding the fasting period usually engenders among Muslims, Christians and people of different tribes through breaking the fast together extends to the sallah celebration days, as visits and gifts continue between the people.
In all these, the Emirs (anglicised Amir [Leader]) play a great role in uniting the different people in their domains, maintaining peace, law and order and leading by example. Therefore, after the prayers, the Emirs host people paying homage, doling out gifts and speaking to their people on their expectations so as to have better communities.
Even though the security challenges being faced in the north have robbed the Sallah of some of its splendour, Emirs nonetheless share messages of love:
Sultan harps on fear of God
The Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, in his Eid-el-Kabir sermon, yesterday, tasked leaders of both religions in the country to preach with the fear of God.
The Sultan, who noted that a majority of clerics now place selfish interests even above that of the Almighty Allah whom they claim to be serving and their followers, also warned that inciting preaching is not healthy for any nation.
While commending the effort of the federal government in striving towards ensuring lasting peace in the country, the Sultan said he was optimistic that the committee constituted by the federal government on insurgency would achieve favourable result with time.
According to him, “Preachers of both faiths should fear Allah and live above their own selfish interests while preaching to their followers. They should avoid provocative statements that could lead to the breach of peace that is capable of breeding violence in the country”. He further pleaded with both faithful Christians and Muslims to stop interfering in the affairs of one another.
On the lingering security and other avoidable challenges confronting the nation, the Sultan also called on leaders at all levels to fear Allah and not betray the trust placed on their shoulders while leading their subjects.
“The precarious situation of the nation is only due to bad governance and neglect of divine injunctions. Most of the leaders are busy amassing wealth and forgetting their subjects that they are meant to serve,” he said.
Cheering News From Borno
With gradual return of peace to Borno State, the traditional Sallah Durbar (horse parade) was held for the first time since 2009 amidst fanfare at the Shehu’s palace yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Governor Kashim Shettima was in attendance as special guest of honour and it was the first time a sallah durbar was held since he became Governor of Borno state in May, 2011.
The peaceful and colourful durbar took place soon after the Eid prayers which were conducted at Ramat square, some two kilometers away from the Shehu’s palace in Maiduguri. It was held following emergence of relative peace in the State owing to security operations and activities of youth volunteers nicknamed ‘civilian JTF’ who have been haunting boko haram insurgents in Maiduguri and other parts of the state.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El kanemi had suspended the traditional sallah durbar since 2009 for fear of insurgency attacks. The first major boko haram crisis took place in July, 2009 leading to the deaths of hundreds of persons, amongst them insurgents, security agents and innocent citizens.
Emir of Katsina harps on peaceful co-existence
Emir of Katsina HRH Abdulmumini Kabir Usman tasked residents on peaceful coexistence even as he urged Nigerians to pray for an end to insurgency.
Addressing the Muslim faithful in Katsina, yesterday, on the occasion of the Sallah celebration, the Emir said no efforts should be spared in ensuring peaceful coexistence.
“We must support every effort geared towards ensuring peace. Although Katsina is peaceful, we should not fold our arms and relax; let us ensure sustained prayers for more peace here and in places having challenges,” he said.
The Emir equally made a case for tree planting so as to combat the menace of desertification and directed district, village and ward heads to mobilise people for the tree-planting exercise.
Mixed emotions in Kano
In Kano, the Sallah was celebrated amidst mixed emotions. For the first time in his 50-year reign, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, LLD, JP, missed the Eid prayer and Sallah cultural durbar. It was officially announced that he was abroad for medical attention following his age-related deteriorating health condition.
The senior counsellor in the Kano emirate, Wambai of Kano Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, represented the emir at the Eid prayer (Eid-el-fitr) held at regular Kofar Mata Eid ground.
Millions of Muslim faithful across the state attended the Eid prayers at various Eid grounds in the city of Kano and the neighbourhood, amidst tight security of armed police, military men among other security agents in mufti and paramilitary outfits.
The Emir, who spoke through the Wambai, shared the great moment of Eid-el-Fitr with the people of Kano and prayed for continuous peace to reign in the state and the country, prosperity, good health and a bumper harvest in this year’s rainy period.
A yearly event, Eid-el-fitr is culturally celebrated: the Emir and his horse-riding entourage comprising his children, royalists and kingmakers went round major city roads to receive homage from his subjects who usually gathered along the streets.
The Wambai announced: “The Emir of Kano has directed me to inform the general public that this year’s cultural durbar is cancelled and for the district heads to stay back at their various local government areas and observe possible cultural functions.”
He added: “On Saturday each and every traditional title holder should be at Emir’s palace; together we proceed to the Government House, Kano, to pay the only traditional function of raising to the spirits of the Kano governor.”
In Yobe, an olive branch to insurgents
In Yobe, a state at the receiving end of the Boko Haram insurgency, the chairman of the Council of Chiefs, the Emir of Fika, HRH Dr Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammadu Idrissa, appealed to the insurgents to cease fire and come forward for dialogue. He made the plea in his Sallah message in Potiskum.
He advised parents to monitor the behaviour of their children in order for them to shun bad companies.
According to him, “dialogue, as everybody says, is the best way to get room for peace as the federal government has been talking about dialogue... With dialogue, I think, we would build up peace in Yobe State and the country”. He went further: “I would like to call on youths who mostly take part in what is going on to eschew violence, tread the path of peace, for without peace there will be no development...I also call on government to come up with policies that will bring an end to youth restiveness; when the youths have nothing to do, they will take the path of violence and destruction, so we advise government to come up with vocational training and also create more jobs for the youths and more educational facilities.”
In Ilorin, another call for peace
The Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari yesterday in his Sallah message enjoined Nigerian Muslims to sustain the peace and tranquillity that reigned during the just concluded Ramadan.
After observing the two raka’ah prayers to mark the end of the Muslims’ fast at Ilorin Eid praying ground, he said that the nation needs peace and stability to progress.
Addressing the congregation, the Emir of Ilorin prayed for peace in his domain, Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.
He thanked the security agents in the state for their unrelenting efforts at ensuring that peace reigns supreme in the state at all times.
The frontline monarch also called for unity among Nigerian politicians, so that the nation’s hard-earned democracy would not be truncated.
Etsu Nupe seek constitutional role for traditional rulers
The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in his Sallah address to his people yesterday in Bida, said that his people should be tolerant and accommodate people of other religion even as the Royal Father advocated a constitutional role for traditional rulers as a way of curbing insecurity in the county.
Emir of Gwandu calls for continuous prayer for peace
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar has enjoined Muslims in the country to intensify prayers for Allah to continue to unite and shower peace in Nigeria.
The Emir made the call shortly after the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in Birnin Kebbi at the Fakon Idi Praying Ground yesterday, attended by the Kebbi State Acting Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Khalid Aliyu, the Minister for Special Duties, Alh. Kabiru Turaki (SAN), Commissioners and thousands of Muslims.
The Gwandu Monarch who is also the Kebbi State Chairman, Council of Chiefs, thanked God for his benevolence to Nigeria in spite of the security challenges facing the country, urging Muslims to intensify their prayers for peace even after the Ramadan fasting.
“I want to thank God for this period and urge all Muslims to intensify prayers for peace and unity of Nigeria even after the Ramadan fast and people should continue to be good to one another’’, the Emir said.
He also lamented about the moral decadence in the society and the negative character of our children who engage in immoral acts such as drug abuse, calling for change of attitude and parents to be vigilant about the movement of their wards.
He further enjoined people to give security operatives in the country maximum support in their effort to tackle insecurity and report any suspicious character in their midst.
Emir of Zazzau on retaining Ramadan lessons
The Chairman, Kaduna State council of Chiefs, the Emir of Zazzau, HRH, Alhaji Shehu Idris charged Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan to guarantee prevailing peace in the country. He made the call in his Sallah message marking this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration held in his palace.
“Ramadan teaches us patience, perseverance, love, assistance to the needy, trust, honesty and above all the fear of God The Emir called on his subjects to promote peace at all levels, saying that no society would witness meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancho, acrimony and loyalty to breach of peace. He warned them against rumour peddling and any acts detrimental to the present peace being experienced in the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all and sundry to give necessary cooperation to security agencies in their bid to curtail the rate of crime in our society.
“Let me commend the efforts of Ulamas, who conducted the Ramadan Tafsir peacefully without using abusive words against one another,” he noted.
The Emir advised the people to be cautious of accommodating visitors they did not know until they conduct proper investigation on them. Idris advised parents to do everything possible to ensure proper upbringing of their children.
- See more at: http://leadership.ng/news/090813/royal-fathers-eid-el-fitr#sthash.QTJEz39U.dpuf
Eid-el-Fitr, variously called the Festival of Breaking of the Fast, Feast of Breaking the Fast, Sugar Feast, Bayram (Bajram), Sweet Festival, the Lesser Eid and Sallah, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of (compulsory) fasting.
Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, falls in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims are expected to observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food – rice, corn, millet, wheat, guinea corn, etc. – to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various families and friends, give gifts and host people to eat, drink and have fun through picnicking, visiting parks, gardens, zoos, museums, etc.
The unity, camaraderie and bonding the fasting period usually engenders among Muslims, Christians and people of different tribes through breaking the fast together extends to the sallah celebration days, as visits and gifts continue between the people.
In all these, the Emirs (anglicised Amir [Leader]) play a great role in uniting the different people in their domains, maintaining peace, law and order and leading by example. Therefore, after the prayers, the Emirs host people paying homage, doling out gifts and speaking to their people on their expectations so as to have better communities.
Even though the security challenges being faced in the north have robbed the Sallah of some of its splendour, Emirs nonetheless share messages of love:
Sultan harps on fear of GodThe Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, in his Eid-el-Kabir sermon, yesterday, tasked leaders of both religions in the country to preach with the fear of God.
The Sultan, who noted that a majority of clerics now place selfish interests even above that of the Almighty Allah whom they claim to be serving and their followers, also warned that inciting preaching is not healthy for any nation.
While commending the effort of the federal government in striving towards ensuring lasting peace in the country, the Sultan said he was optimistic that the committee constituted by the federal government on insurgency would achieve favourable result with time.
According to him, “Preachers of both faiths should fear Allah and live above their own selfish interests while preaching to their followers. They should avoid provocative statements that could lead to the breach of peace that is capable of breeding violence in the country”. He further pleaded with both faithful Christians and Muslims to stop interfering in the affairs of one another.
On the lingering security and other avoidable challenges confronting the nation, the Sultan also called on leaders at all levels to fear Allah and not betray the trust placed on their shoulders while leading their subjects.
“The precarious situation of the nation is only due to bad governance and neglect of divine injunctions. Most of the leaders are busy amassing wealth and forgetting their subjects that they are meant to serve,” he said.
Cheering News From BornoWith gradual return of peace to Borno State, the traditional Sallah Durbar (horse parade) was held for the first time since 2009 amidst fanfare at the Shehu’s palace yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Governor Kashim Shettima was in attendance as special guest of honour and it was the first time a sallah durbar was held since he became Governor of Borno state in May, 2011.
The peaceful and colourful durbar took place soon after the Eid prayers which were conducted at Ramat square, some two kilometers away from the Shehu’s palace in Maiduguri. It was held following emergence of relative peace in the State owing to security operations and activities of youth volunteers nicknamed ‘civilian JTF’ who have been haunting boko haram insurgents in Maiduguri and other parts of the state.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El kanemi had suspended the traditional sallah durbar since 2009 for fear of insurgency attacks. The first major boko haram crisis took place in July, 2009 leading to the deaths of hundreds of persons, amongst them insurgents, security agents and innocent citizens.
Emir of Katsina harps on peaceful co-existenceEmir of Katsina HRH Abdulmumini Kabir Usman tasked residents on peaceful coexistence even as he urged Nigerians to pray for an end to insurgency.
Addressing the Muslim faithful in Katsina, yesterday, on the occasion of the Sallah celebration, the Emir said no efforts should be spared in ensuring peaceful coexistence.
“We must support every effort geared towards ensuring peace. Although Katsina is peaceful, we should not fold our arms and relax; let us ensure sustained prayers for more peace here and in places having challenges,” he said.
The Emir equally made a case for tree planting so as to combat the menace of desertification and directed district, village and ward heads to mobilise people for the tree-planting exercise.
Mixed emotions in KanoIn Kano, the Sallah was celebrated amidst mixed emotions. For the first time in his 50-year reign, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, LLD, JP, missed the Eid prayer and Sallah cultural durbar. It was officially announced that he was abroad for medical attention following his age-related deteriorating health condition.
The senior counsellor in the Kano emirate, Wambai of Kano Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, represented the emir at the Eid prayer (Eid-el-fitr) held at regular Kofar Mata Eid ground.
Millions of Muslim faithful across the state attended the Eid prayers at various Eid grounds in the city of Kano and the neighbourhood, amidst tight security of armed police, military men among other security agents in mufti and paramilitary outfits.
The Emir, who spoke through the Wambai, shared the great moment of Eid-el-Fitr with the people of Kano and prayed for continuous peace to reign in the state and the country, prosperity, good health and a bumper harvest in this year’s rainy period.
A yearly event, Eid-el-fitr is culturally celebrated: the Emir and his horse-riding entourage comprising his children, royalists and kingmakers went round major city roads to receive homage from his subjects who usually gathered along the streets.
The Wambai announced: “The Emir of Kano has directed me to inform the general public that this year’s cultural durbar is cancelled and for the district heads to stay back at their various local government areas and observe possible cultural functions.”
He added: “On Saturday each and every traditional title holder should be at Emir’s palace; together we proceed to the Government House, Kano, to pay the only traditional function of raising to the spirits of the Kano governor.”
In Yobe, an olive branch to insurgentsIn Yobe, a state at the receiving end of the Boko Haram insurgency, the chairman of the Council of Chiefs, the Emir of Fika, HRH Dr Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammadu Idrissa, appealed to the insurgents to cease fire and come forward for dialogue. He made the plea in his Sallah message in Potiskum.
He advised parents to monitor the behaviour of their children in order for them to shun bad companies.
According to him, “dialogue, as everybody says, is the best way to get room for peace as the federal government has been talking about dialogue... With dialogue, I think, we would build up peace in Yobe State and the country”. He went further: “I would like to call on youths who mostly take part in what is going on to eschew violence, tread the path of peace, for without peace there will be no development...I also call on government to come up with policies that will bring an end to youth restiveness; when the youths have nothing to do, they will take the path of violence and destruction, so we advise government to come up with vocational training and also create more jobs for the youths and more educational facilities.”
In Ilorin, another call for peaceThe Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari yesterday in his Sallah message enjoined Nigerian Muslims to sustain the peace and tranquillity that reigned during the just concluded Ramadan.
After observing the two raka’ah prayers to mark the end of the Muslims’ fast at Ilorin Eid praying ground, he said that the nation needs peace and stability to progress.
Addressing the congregation, the Emir of Ilorin prayed for peace in his domain, Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.
He thanked the security agents in the state for their unrelenting efforts at ensuring that peace reigns supreme in the state at all times.
The frontline monarch also called for unity among Nigerian politicians, so that the nation’s hard-earned democracy would not be truncated.
Etsu Nupe seek constitutional role for traditional rulersThe Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in his Sallah address to his people yesterday in Bida, said that his people should be tolerant and accommodate people of other religion even as the Royal Father advocated a constitutional role for traditional rulers as a way of curbing insecurity in the county.
Emir of Gwandu calls for continuous prayer for peaceThe Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar has enjoined Muslims in the country to intensify prayers for Allah to continue to unite and shower peace in Nigeria.
The Emir made the call shortly after the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in Birnin Kebbi at the Fakon Idi Praying Ground yesterday, attended by the Kebbi State Acting Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Khalid Aliyu, the Minister for Special Duties, Alh. Kabiru Turaki (SAN), Commissioners and thousands of Muslims.
The Gwandu Monarch who is also the Kebbi State Chairman, Council of Chiefs, thanked God for his benevolence to Nigeria in spite of the security challenges facing the country, urging Muslims to intensify their prayers for peace even after the Ramadan fasting.
“I want to thank God for this period and urge all Muslims to intensify prayers for peace and unity of Nigeria even after the Ramadan fast and people should continue to be good to one another’’, the Emir said.
He also lamented about the moral decadence in the society and the negative character of our children who engage in immoral acts such as drug abuse, calling for change of attitude and parents to be vigilant about the movement of their wards.
He further enjoined people to give security operatives in the country maximum support in their effort to tackle insecurity and report any suspicious character in their midst.
Emir of Zazzau on retaining Ramadan lessonsThe Chairman, Kaduna State council of Chiefs, the Emir of Zazzau, HRH, Alhaji Shehu Idris charged Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan to guarantee prevailing peace in the country. He made the call in his Sallah message marking this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration held in his palace.
“Ramadan teaches us patience, perseverance, love, assistance to the needy, trust, honesty and above all the fear of God The Emir called on his subjects to promote peace at all levels, saying that no society would witness meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancho, acrimony and loyalty to breach of peace. He warned them against rumour peddling and any acts detrimental to the present peace being experienced in the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all and sundry to give necessary cooperation to security agencies in their bid to curtail the rate of crime in our society.
“Let me commend the efforts of Ulamas, who conducted the Ramadan Tafsir peacefully without using abusive words against one another,” he noted.
The Emir advised the people to be cautious of accommodating visitors they did not know until they conduct proper investigation on them. Idris advised parents to do everything possible to ensure proper upbringing of their children.
- See more at: http://leadership.ng/news/090813/royal-fathers-eid-el-fitr#sthash.QTJEz39U.dpuf
Eid-el-Fitr, variously called the Festival of Breaking of the Fast, Feast of Breaking the Fast, Sugar Feast, Bayram (Bajram), Sweet Festival, the Lesser Eid and Sallah, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of (compulsory) fasting.
Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, falls in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims are expected to observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food – rice, corn, millet, wheat, guinea corn, etc. – to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various families and friends, give gifts and host people to eat, drink and have fun through picnicking, visiting parks, gardens, zoos, museums, etc.
The unity, camaraderie and bonding the fasting period usually engenders among Muslims, Christians and people of different tribes through breaking the fast together extends to the sallah celebration days, as visits and gifts continue between the people.
In all these, the Emirs (anglicised Amir [Leader]) play a great role in uniting the different people in their domains, maintaining peace, law and order and leading by example. Therefore, after the prayers, the Emirs host people paying homage, doling out gifts and speaking to their people on their expectations so as to have better communities.
Even though the security challenges being faced in the north have robbed the Sallah of some of its splendour, Emirs nonetheless share messages of love:
Sultan harps on fear of God
The Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, in his Eid-el-Kabir sermon, yesterday, tasked leaders of both religions in the country to preach with the fear of God.
The Sultan, who noted that a majority of clerics now place selfish interests even above that of the Almighty Allah whom they claim to be serving and their followers, also warned that inciting preaching is not healthy for any nation.
While commending the effort of the federal government in striving towards ensuring lasting peace in the country, the Sultan said he was optimistic that the committee constituted by the federal government on insurgency would achieve favourable result with time.
According to him, “Preachers of both faiths should fear Allah and live above their own selfish interests while preaching to their followers. They should avoid provocative statements that could lead to the breach of peace that is capable of breeding violence in the country”. He further pleaded with both faithful Christians and Muslims to stop interfering in the affairs of one another.
On the lingering security and other avoidable challenges confronting the nation, the Sultan also called on leaders at all levels to fear Allah and not betray the trust placed on their shoulders while leading their subjects.
“The precarious situation of the nation is only due to bad governance and neglect of divine injunctions. Most of the leaders are busy amassing wealth and forgetting their subjects that they are meant to serve,” he said.
Cheering News From Borno
With gradual return of peace to Borno State, the traditional Sallah Durbar (horse parade) was held for the first time since 2009 amidst fanfare at the Shehu’s palace yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Governor Kashim Shettima was in attendance as special guest of honour and it was the first time a sallah durbar was held since he became Governor of Borno state in May, 2011.
The peaceful and colourful durbar took place soon after the Eid prayers which were conducted at Ramat square, some two kilometers away from the Shehu’s palace in Maiduguri. It was held following emergence of relative peace in the State owing to security operations and activities of youth volunteers nicknamed ‘civilian JTF’ who have been haunting boko haram insurgents in Maiduguri and other parts of the state.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El kanemi had suspended the traditional sallah durbar since 2009 for fear of insurgency attacks. The first major boko haram crisis took place in July, 2009 leading to the deaths of hundreds of persons, amongst them insurgents, security agents and innocent citizens.
Emir of Katsina harps on peaceful co-existence
Emir of Katsina HRH Abdulmumini Kabir Usman tasked residents on peaceful coexistence even as he urged Nigerians to pray for an end to insurgency.
Addressing the Muslim faithful in Katsina, yesterday, on the occasion of the Sallah celebration, the Emir said no efforts should be spared in ensuring peaceful coexistence.
“We must support every effort geared towards ensuring peace. Although Katsina is peaceful, we should not fold our arms and relax; let us ensure sustained prayers for more peace here and in places having challenges,” he said.
The Emir equally made a case for tree planting so as to combat the menace of desertification and directed district, village and ward heads to mobilise people for the tree-planting exercise.
Mixed emotions in Kano
In Kano, the Sallah was celebrated amidst mixed emotions. For the first time in his 50-year reign, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, LLD, JP, missed the Eid prayer and Sallah cultural durbar. It was officially announced that he was abroad for medical attention following his age-related deteriorating health condition.
The senior counsellor in the Kano emirate, Wambai of Kano Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, represented the emir at the Eid prayer (Eid-el-fitr) held at regular Kofar Mata Eid ground.
Millions of Muslim faithful across the state attended the Eid prayers at various Eid grounds in the city of Kano and the neighbourhood, amidst tight security of armed police, military men among other security agents in mufti and paramilitary outfits.
The Emir, who spoke through the Wambai, shared the great moment of Eid-el-Fitr with the people of Kano and prayed for continuous peace to reign in the state and the country, prosperity, good health and a bumper harvest in this year’s rainy period.
A yearly event, Eid-el-fitr is culturally celebrated: the Emir and his horse-riding entourage comprising his children, royalists and kingmakers went round major city roads to receive homage from his subjects who usually gathered along the streets.
The Wambai announced: “The Emir of Kano has directed me to inform the general public that this year’s cultural durbar is cancelled and for the district heads to stay back at their various local government areas and observe possible cultural functions.”
He added: “On Saturday each and every traditional title holder should be at Emir’s palace; together we proceed to the Government House, Kano, to pay the only traditional function of raising to the spirits of the Kano governor.”
In Yobe, an olive branch to insurgents
In Yobe, a state at the receiving end of the Boko Haram insurgency, the chairman of the Council of Chiefs, the Emir of Fika, HRH Dr Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammadu Idrissa, appealed to the insurgents to cease fire and come forward for dialogue. He made the plea in his Sallah message in Potiskum.
He advised parents to monitor the behaviour of their children in order for them to shun bad companies.
According to him, “dialogue, as everybody says, is the best way to get room for peace as the federal government has been talking about dialogue... With dialogue, I think, we would build up peace in Yobe State and the country”. He went further: “I would like to call on youths who mostly take part in what is going on to eschew violence, tread the path of peace, for without peace there will be no development...I also call on government to come up with policies that will bring an end to youth restiveness; when the youths have nothing to do, they will take the path of violence and destruction, so we advise government to come up with vocational training and also create more jobs for the youths and more educational facilities.”
In Ilorin, another call for peace
The Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari yesterday in his Sallah message enjoined Nigerian Muslims to sustain the peace and tranquillity that reigned during the just concluded Ramadan.
After observing the two raka’ah prayers to mark the end of the Muslims’ fast at Ilorin Eid praying ground, he said that the nation needs peace and stability to progress.
Addressing the congregation, the Emir of Ilorin prayed for peace in his domain, Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.
He thanked the security agents in the state for their unrelenting efforts at ensuring that peace reigns supreme in the state at all times.
The frontline monarch also called for unity among Nigerian politicians, so that the nation’s hard-earned democracy would not be truncated.
Etsu Nupe seek constitutional role for traditional rulers
The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in his Sallah address to his people yesterday in Bida, said that his people should be tolerant and accommodate people of other religion even as the Royal Father advocated a constitutional role for traditional rulers as a way of curbing insecurity in the county.
Emir of Gwandu calls for continuous prayer for peace
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar has enjoined Muslims in the country to intensify prayers for Allah to continue to unite and shower peace in Nigeria.
The Emir made the call shortly after the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in Birnin Kebbi at the Fakon Idi Praying Ground yesterday, attended by the Kebbi State Acting Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Khalid Aliyu, the Minister for Special Duties, Alh. Kabiru Turaki (SAN), Commissioners and thousands of Muslims.
The Gwandu Monarch who is also the Kebbi State Chairman, Council of Chiefs, thanked God for his benevolence to Nigeria in spite of the security challenges facing the country, urging Muslims to intensify their prayers for peace even after the Ramadan fasting.
“I want to thank God for this period and urge all Muslims to intensify prayers for peace and unity of Nigeria even after the Ramadan fast and people should continue to be good to one another’’, the Emir said.
He also lamented about the moral decadence in the society and the negative character of our children who engage in immoral acts such as drug abuse, calling for change of attitude and parents to be vigilant about the movement of their wards.
He further enjoined people to give security operatives in the country maximum support in their effort to tackle insecurity and report any suspicious character in their midst.
Emir of Zazzau on retaining Ramadan lessons
The Chairman, Kaduna State council of Chiefs, the Emir of Zazzau, HRH, Alhaji Shehu Idris charged Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan to guarantee prevailing peace in the country. He made the call in his Sallah message marking this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration held in his palace.
“Ramadan teaches us patience, perseverance, love, assistance to the needy, trust, honesty and above all the fear of God The Emir called on his subjects to promote peace at all levels, saying that no society would witness meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancho, acrimony and loyalty to breach of peace. He warned them against rumour peddling and any acts detrimental to the present peace being experienced in the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all and sundry to give necessary cooperation to security agencies in their bid to curtail the rate of crime in our society.
“Let me commend the efforts of Ulamas, who conducted the Ramadan Tafsir peacefully without using abusive words against one another,” he noted.
The Emir advised the people to be cautious of accommodating visitors they did not know until they conduct proper investigation on them. Idris advised parents to do everything possible to ensure proper upbringing of their children.
- See more at: http://leadership.ng/news/090813/royal-fathers-eid-el-fitr#sthash.QTJEz39U.dpuf
