From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Dr. AbdulMuminu Isah, the Chief Imam of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Central Mosque, has charged Muslim across Nigeria to be obedient to constituted authorities, as well as adhere strictly to Islamic teachings as they mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
The cleric made the call in Nsukka on Sunday in an interview with Daily Sun, where he appealed to Muslims and particularly those living in and around University Town of Nsukka to ensure that they are obedient to constituted authorities as well as live peacefully with their non Muslim neighbours.
He said, citing Islamics Holy Book, that Abraham and his son Ishmael were obedient to God when God wanted Ishmael to be used as sacrifice, but had to provide an alternative to them because they were obedient to His order.
According to Isah “Islam, being one of the Abraham’s religion is a religion of peace. Muslims are peace loving people. Islam stands for peace, I enjoined all of us to be obedient to constituted authorities anywhere we find ourselves and also pray for our leaders no matter how bad the situation is.
“Remember that Abraham and his son Ishmael were obedient to God, when God ordered that Ishmael should be used as sacrifice and they obeyed. Graciously God provided them with a ram to replace Ishmael for the sacrifice.
“You now understand where the obedient am telling you about started from, so you must be obedient to rule of law and order, obedient and adherent to Islamic teachings because Ramadan encourage faithfuls to be law abiding citizens and by the special grace of Allah things will be made easy for us,” he said.
The Chief Imam who is also a lecturer at the Department of Clinical pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, UNN urged all Muslims faithfuls who are 18-years and above to register and update their permanent voter’s card to enable them participate in the next coming general election.
He equally admonished Muslims and others not to take advantage of bad economy, insecurity, bad governance, high rate of unemployment and food commodities currently bedevilling the country to take law into their hands.
“Government may have their lapses but still they are making effort to fix the country, so don’t take take the excuse of bad situations of things to join bandits, kidnappers or any criminal gang,” he said.
He commended Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice Chancellor of UNN for showing them love and providing enabling environments for them in the university community as well as providing them with a giant ram for the Ramadan sacrifice.
Also, AbdulRashid Lawal, the assistant Imam of the UNN Central Mosque in his own good will message, urged all Nigerians to learn how to tolerate one another and accept one another as they are, stressing that there is unity in diversity and that it was the diversity that has made us stronger as a nation.