Jonathan preaches piety, tolerance as Ramadan begins

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Saturday saluted all Muslims in Nigeria as they began this year’s Ramadan fast.
As they join fellow adherents of the faith in other parts of the world in undergoing the strictures and spiritual purification of the annual Ramadan fast against the background of security challenges in the country, President Jonathan urged all Nigerian Muslims to offer special prayers during the period for greater peace and security in the nation.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Jonathan seized the opportunity of the commencement of the Ramadan fast to reassure the entire nation that the Federal Government will continue to work tirelessly to curb insurgency, terrorism and other criminal acts, which have caused insecurity in parts of the country.
Abati said further: “He urges Nigerians not to succumb to despair, but to remain steadfast in the firm conviction that with courage, determination, focus, decisiveness and collective support for the Armed Forces and security agencies, the country will ultimately overcome the evil agents of sectionalism, sectarianism and international terrorism who seek to disunite the nation.
“As they observe the Ramadan, President Jonathan also calls on Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves in fuller measure to the virtues of piety, self-discipline, tolerance, equity, honesty, fairness and sympathy for the less privileged which the Holy month promotes.
“The President joins all people of faith in praying that God Almighty will grant Nigeria greater peace, security, unity and national harmony.
“He wishes the Muslim community a rewarding and spiritually gratifying Ramadan fast.”