By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN),
on Sunday asked Nigerian to put their hopes in Allah and not individuals or natural endowment and implement the lessons of Eid-el Kabir as bail out from the economic challenges facing Nigeria.
MSSN stated this in its Eid-el-Kabir message to Nigerians made available to journalists in Ibadan signed by its Lagos sState unit area Amir (President) Saheed Ashafa to mark this years’ Eid el Kabir celebrations.
According to the society, Nigeria as a country more than before need to implement the lessons of Eid-el Kabir for it to improve from her present challenging conditions, adding that “regrettably, some of our leaders have failed to sacrifice for Nigeria’s growth by being corrupt and mismanaging the nation’s resources in such a way that has brought distress and depression to the country. But with our prayers on this special day, Allah will make us surmount the challenging moment”.
MSSN specifically added that among the lessons of Eid-el Kabir needed to be reflected on by Nigerians are sacrifice, patience, perseverance, obedience and tolerance,saying,
despite the harsh conditions that surrounded Prophet Ibrahim (ASW), he was ready to sacrifice his only son in obedience to Allah so as to earn eternal bliss.
“There is indeed economic hardship in the country and this calls for a high level of perseverance and sacrifice from both leaders and followers. The current situation shows that we should emulate the Prophet (SAW) by putting our hopes in Allah and not individuals or natural endowment. Thus, the application and essence of the sacrifice is most needed in this period of economic challenges than before,”he said.
The MSSN President pointed out that “if we implement the lessons of this festival, Nigeria will be bailed out of her numerous challenges including the current economic recession”.
“Our history as a people makes it necessary for us to reflect on all of the values of Eid-el Kabir, which are more required now than ever. We should show readiness to assist the less privileged ones from our hard earned wealth so that there will be equitable distribution of resources.”
The MSSN President then charged Nigeria leaders to use the Eid el Kabir as a period of re-dedication to Allah to increase their transparency and selflessness.
“If we expect a positive change, we must embrace a better way of life in all our endeavours. Leaders at all levels must remember that they have been entrusted with positions of authority as a means of making sacrifices that will transform the impoverished people of Nigeria but not to further worsen the conditions of the masses. Eid-el Kabir should be a reminder to them that they will account for all their deeds before Allah.”
He also tasked Muslims leaders to use the Eid-el-Kabir festive period to intercede for Nigeria’s transformation.
Emphasizing the need for the application of the lessons of Eid-el Kabir, he said,”beyond that, we should tolerate ourselves by making people feel loved. We should consider that with the current economic situation, many people might have lost their jobs and may not be able to afford a ram for Eid sacrifice, others may not even have food to eat at all. Let’s us cover up for this gap by accommodating them.”
