Eid-al-Fitr: Gov Nwifuru Preaches Peace, Pledges Support To Muslim Community
By Alex Odeh, Pan Afric Reporters
The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has called on Muslim faithful in the State to make peace their watchword so as to continue to make the state inhabitable.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obila, the governor urged the Muslim community in Ebonyi state to allow the fasting of the Ramadan to reflect positively on their lives.
He noted that the Ebonyi State government has been very supportive to the Muslims in the state by mobilizing them to the holy pilgrimage at Mecca, adding that there is no discrimination between Christians and Muslims in the State.
The governor said, “We are here to celebrate with our Muslim brothers as we do every year. You started the journey when you sighted the moon. Through the period you abstained yourself from what you are not supposed to do. You prayed and fasted, and I believe God has answered your prayers”, he stated.
He urged them to build on the already prevailing peace, nothing that both Christians and Muslims preach peace.
“For us in the state, we have been living as one family. We never had any problem. You can see in Ebonyi state, you can sleep with two eyes closed. Keep preaching peace. There is nothing like Peace. When the Quran was read, you talked about Peace and in the Bible we also talk about Peace.
He disclosed that the state demphasised discrimination between Christians and Muslims.
“In our our government, we do not say this is Christian or Muslim. When it is time to go to Mecca, we give you a lot of slots. I am assuring you, we will still do more. All we want you to do is to keep maintaining peace and tranquility”, he charged.
Speaking earlier, the Leader of Muslim community in Ebonyi State, Ernest Nasir Nweze, stated that the month of Ramadan was important because it affords the Muslims the opportunity to reassess and reawaken their faith.
“Acitivies to mark the holy month of Ramadan is important because it is a time we go into reassessment and reawakening of our faith. It is in the month of Ramadan that the holy Quran was revealed to our leader .
He thanked Governor Francis Nwifuru for including the Muslim community in the scheme of things, especially his sponsorship of pilgrims to the holy land in Mecca.
“We use this opportunity to thank His Excellency for carrying Muslims along as if he is a Muslim. When we hear of discrimination in other Christian states against Muslims, we say are we not Muslims in Christian state? He provided and sponsored Muslims Pilgrim to the land of Mecca”, Nweze recounted.
