Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has charged all Muslims to pray for Nigeria as the month of fasting (Ramadan) commences.
The fasting which is observed yearly by Muslims worldwide commenced on Monday and the former VP urged Nigerians to take advantage of the period to pray for peace in the nation.
In a statement signed by him on Monday, Atiku also called on Nigerian Muslims to imbibe the qualities of discipline, abstinence, prayer and self-sacrifice.
As we use this fasting period of Ramadan to master ourselves through discipline, abstinence, prayer and self-sacrifice, may Allah (SWT) hear our prayers and see us through so that we will finish what we started today in good health and a sound body. https://t.co/P05vPoZcuS
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) May 6, 2019
Read the full statement below.
I greet the Muslim Ummah as we begin the month of Ramadan and I urge that we use this holy and August month to pray for our dearly beloved nation and its people.
Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said,”When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened”. Let us take advantage of these open heavens to make Ramadan intercession for the benefit of our country, our countrymen and women and for humanity as a race.
I call on one and all to remember that Nigerians are who would make Nigeria either great or dismal through our thoughts, words and actions. Therefore, Ramadan is an opportunity for us to rededicate ourselves to the virtues displayed by the Prophet.
Virtues such as brotherly love and community spirit, without which a country shall be just a hollow shell.
When we make ideals our goal this Ramadan, we will, by Allah’s grace, be able to reach a turning point in our individual, family and national lives that will bring about the rebirth of Nigeria as a nation that functions to provide peace, progress and prosperity to each and every citizen.
Therefore, as we use this fasting period of Ramadan to master ourselves through discipline, abstinence, prayer and self-sacrifice, may Allah (SWT) hear our prayers and see us through so that we will finish what we started today in good health and a sound body.
Some of our challenges may look like they will overwhelm us, but during the month of Ramadan, our connection and reconnection with Allah (SWT) makes our resolve stronger and our challenges weaker. We are thus able to gain a new lease of life and a powerfully divine paradigm of possibilities over impossibilities. This is the beauty of Ramadan.
May Allah bless you my brothers and sisters, may Allah bless Nigeria and may Allah hear your prayers. Amin
Atiku Abubakar
Waziri Adamawa
Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007
