Buhari uses start of Ramadan to appeal to misguided Muslims to lay down their arms

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has used the start of the 2015 Ramadan fasting period to appeal to those he calls misguided Muslims to lay down their arms and work for the prosperity of Nigeria.

 

Speaking directly to Boko Haram terrorists who have been waging a war against Nigeria since 2009 in a quest to establish an Islamic theocracy in the northeast of the country, President Buhari also called on Nigerians to pray for the return of peace, love and prosperity. Today, Nigerian Muslims, like their counterparts elsewhere, begin the month-long fasting period during which they seek spiritual enhancement.

 

In his message, President Buhari implored Muslims to seek maximum benefits from the Ramadan period by being helpful to all manner of people, learning and following the true message of the religion as taught by the Holy Prophet. He also appealed to misguided brothers to drop arms, embrace peace which Islam stands for.

 

Among other things, the president appealed to the perpetrators of violence and destruction in the name of Islam all over the world to desist from tarnishing the name of the religion. President Buhari also prayed to Allah to bring peace and harmony to all parts of the country and the world at large.

 

He added: “As we make collective efforts to bring to a permanent end the menace of the Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin countries, let me use this auspicious occasion to appeal to our misguided brothers to drop their arms, embrace peace and seek a better understanding of Islam during this Holy period and beyond. I wish all our citizens a blessed Ramadan Kareem Mubarak.”

 

Also, former vice president Abubakar Atiku has called on Muslims to pray for the peace of the country which has been facing the grimmest challenge with the monster of terrorism disrupting social and economic life. He said he was constantly saddened by the frequent explosion of conflicts and violence, which poses threat to the country’s peace.

 

According to Alhaji Atiku, Islamic leaders should intensify efforts to eliminate the influence of extremists in the life of Muslims and he called on political leaders to show extra vigilance to stem the growth of extremism. He called for urgent action to attack the roots of terrorism by attacking its ideology, arguing that innocent Muslim disciples should be shielded from the influences of extremist teachers, who might exploit their ignorance and push them into criminal atrocities.

 

Alhaji Atiku also expressed his sadness at how a minority group of misguided bigots are giving innocent Muslims a negative image. He, however, advised Muslims to continue to pray for the peace of Nigeria.