March 20, (THEWILL) — The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has called on Muslim faithful in the state to make peace their watchword 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 in their lives.
He noted that the government has been very supportive of the Muslims in the state by mobilising them to the holy pilgrimage in Mecca, adding that there is no discrimination between Christians and Muslims in the state.
“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 from what you are not supposed to do. You prayed and fasted, and I believe God has answered your prayers”, the governor stated.
He urged them to build on the already prevailing peace, noting 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.
“In 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 assure you, we will still do more. All we want you to do is to keep maintaining peace and tranquillity”, he charged.
Speaking earlier, the Leader of the 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.
“Activities to mark the holy month of Ramadan are 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 were a Muslim. When we hear of discrimination in other Christian states against Muslims, we say, are we not Muslims in a Christian state? He provided and sponsored Muslims Pilgrim to the land of Mecca”, Nweze recounted.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
