The Chief Imam of Akwa Ibom State, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu, has cautioned Nigerians at home and in Diaspora to stop stoking the flames of divisions through hate speeches and inciting comments.
He said hate speeches and unnecessary comments were capable of throwing the country back to the dark days of the civil war.
Adamu who spoke at the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the University of Uyo mosque emphasized the need for Nigerians to emulate the exemplary lifestyle of Prophet Ibrahim through selfless service, obedience and dedication to God and constituted authority.
He said, “hate speech and inciting comments can stoke fire that can bring this country back to the civil war days, so I want to seize this opportunity to caution all Muslim faithful and Nigerians, living at home and in Diaspora to desist from making hate speeches for this country to remain in peace.”
The Chief Imam, University of Uyo Mosque, Alh. Ibarhim Okeishina, preached peace and selfless service to God and humanity and called on Muslims to use the occasion to sacrifice to the needy.
Another Muslim faithful and leader of the Hausa community in Akwa Ibom State, Alhaji Hassan Dausauki, said the socio-economic challenges confronting the country could be surmounted if Nigerians would show sincerity in their private and public lives.
The celebration is significant to Muslims because it is the day of sacrifice to mark the climax of hajj, which is the fifth pillar of Islam.
The highlight of the occasion in the state was the slaughtering of ram to honour the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail as an act of submission to God.
The meat was divided into three parts, one for the Muslims relatives, friends and neighbours, another for families and the last was given to the poor to demonstrate the charitable practice among the Muslims faithful.
