Happy Sallah holidays
TODAY and tomorrow, Muslims all over the world will be marking this year’s Id El Kabir and participate in the feast of sacrifice. Their friends, relations, neighbours and well-wishers will also join them in their moment of joy and celebration.
According to the Qur’an, the Muslim Holy Scriptures, this event is held annually to highlight Prophet Ibrahim’s faithfulness to Allah. He willingly agreed to sacrifice his son, Ismail, when commanded to do so. Just when he was about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah sent Angel Jibril to stop him and instead gave him a ram to offer the sacrifice.
Prophet Ibrahim’s inspiring act of faith is legendary beyond the religion of Islam. It illustrates the unquestioning loyalty of the faithful to the Supreme Creator and is upheld as the standard for believers and lovers of God to emulate if they wish to enjoy a rewarding relationship with Him.
For all true Muslims, this is a moment to share the feast of sacrifice with all around them irrespective of their faith, especially the less-privileged people. Unfortunately, most people put more emphasis on the feasting and merriment than the core values of the event, especially dedication to Allah and allowing His commandments to rule our relationship with others.
This year’s celebration comes in the wake of our 54th independence anniversary and the gradual turnaround of the war on terror which the nation is waging against Boko Haram insurgents in the North East. This insurgency, which has sorely tested the bond binding our nation as one people in spite of our diversity, has also led to untold suffering and death of many in the theatre of conflict.
We should all, Muslims and Christians alike, join hands together and quickly bring the insurgency to an end since it has become abundantly clear that Boko Haram is an enemy of all. It has carried out hundreds of attacks, killing people indiscriminately and destroying places of worship not minding which faith their victims belong to.
As we celebrate, let us spare some time to pray for our soldiers fighting to defend us and our nation. They need our moral support rather than politically-motivated criticism and denunciation. Let us also remain vigilant as we go out to places of recreation, cooperate with one another and report suspicious objects, persons and activities to the law-enforcement agencies. We must be mindful that the enemy chooses moments like this to carry out their dastardly attacks on innocent people.
We should also pray for the safe return of the pilgrims who are performing the Hajj in the Holy Land, that they return to our fold without any sad incident.
We wish all Muslims and Nigerians alike happy Sallah.
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