President Bola Tinubu has known as on Nigerians to hope for the nation’s progress and safety as Christians and Muslims begin the Lenten and Ramadan seasons.
In a message issued on Wednesday to mark the start of Lent and Ramadan, the President urged residents to advertise peace, unity and stability, describing the coinciding of each observances as symbolic of shared religion and nationwide cohesion.
“With profound reverence to God Almighty, I greet the Christian and Muslim trustworthy on the solemn events of Lent and Ramadan,” Tinubu stated.
“This yr, Lent and Ramadan start on the identical day. This isn’t a standard incidence, and it reminds us that as a individuals of religion, we share so much in frequent and are one individuals underneath God.”
He defined that for Christians, the Lenten season is a interval of fasting, abstinence and penitence, following the instance of Jesus Christ within the wilderness earlier than His crucifixion.
“For Christians, the Lenten season is a time for fasting, abstinence, and penitence, following Jesus Christ’s instance within the wilderness earlier than His crucifixion, which introduced salvation to mankind,” he said.
Tinubu additionally highlighted the importance of Ramadan for Muslims, describing it as a sacred month of devotion and religious reflection.
“For Muslims, Ramadan is a hallowed season that displays whole submission to God Almighty and His command of sacrifice, devotion, service, and communal love and giving. It marks one of many 5 pillars of Islam. Past the compulsory fasting, Ramadan requires deep religious reflection in obedience to Islam’s injunctions,” he added.
The President known as on Nigerians to embrace the spirit of each seasons by strengthening bonds of fine neighbourliness and nationwide solidarity.
“As a nation and as a individuals, I urge us, as we embark on these essential observances, to make sure good neighbourliness, promote peace, unity, and stability, and pray for the progress and safety of our nation,” he stated.
Tinubu additional inspired residents to uphold the teachings of their respective faiths and stay dedicated to their duties to God and fellow residents.
“Allow us to reside by the nice precepts of our faiths and be honourable in our responsibility to God and fellow people.
“I pray that the teachings, blessings, and joys of those sacred seasons abide with us all the time,” he concluded.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Times Nigeria