President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in
Abuja restated that the activities of terrorist groups across the world had
nothing to do with Islam.
The president stated this when a delegation of
the Muslim community led by Vice President Namadi Sambo paid him Sallah homage
at his official residence in the Presidential Villa.
Jonathan maintained that there was nothing
Islamic about the atrocities being perpetrated by Boko Haram in Nigeria or
Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Iraq who claimed to be fighting for the
propagation of Islam.
“What is happening globally now has no
religious basis. Only yesterday, a British aid worker was slaughtered by ISIS
and that is not Islamic.
“Boko Haram killing innocent children and
women in market places, in mosques and schools definitely has nothing to do
with religion,” he said.
The president noted that this year’s Sallah
celebration was significant, citing certain natural coincidences which,
according to him, showed that something good was happening to Nigeria.
“This year is quite significant in terms of
celebration of Sallah, because the Day of Arafat coincided with a Friday, and
from what I was told it takes a long time to have that coincidence.
“And remembering the fact that 2014 is our
centenary year, it shows that something good is happening to this country.
“We may have our challenges as other nations,
but when things begin to happen in a particular way, I begin to see light at
the end of the tunnel.
“A number of things that have to do with our
belief system suppose to encourage us to see our neighbours as ourselves,’’ he
said.
While congratulating Muslims all over the
world, the president urged them to use the period to seek God’s mercy for those
hiding behind religion to perpetrate evil.
He restated his belief in Nigeria, emphasising
that the country had a lot to offer not only to its citizens but also to the
entire world.
“Whatever obstacles we see are very ephemeral
and part of history of nation building.
“If you read the history of all nations, there
is no nation that does not pass through some challenges.
“But, they got over them and moved ahead; I
think we are getting over our problems,’’ he said.
Earlier, the vice president had prayed for
peace and unity in the country.
He also prayed that Allah would grant the
president the strength, wisdom and good health to lead the country out of its
current challenges.
Among the vice president’s entourage were the
National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; the Acting Inspector General of
Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National
Chairman, Bello Haliru.
Others included Primate, Church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; former Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, the Deputy Chief Imam of Federal
Capital Territory, Sheik Ahmed Onilewura.
The Day of Arafat falls on the 2nd day of
pilgrimage activities in Saudi Arabia.
On this day, the pilgrims make their way from
Mecca to a nearby hillside, Arafat, to pray for peace. (NAN)
Source:- Vanguard
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