As Muslims all over the world mark this year’s Eid-il-Fitri, a frontline politician in Ogun State and former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area, Alhaji Tunde Oladunjoye, has called on Nigerians in general and Muslims in particular to promote peace and patriotism.
In a press statement released in Saudi Arabia, where he performed the lesser hajj, Oladunjoye asked Nigerians to shun divisiveness, sectarianism and promote peace and patriotism.
The statement reads: “I must use the occasion of this year’s Eid-il-Fitri to urge us to please look at the bigger picture in Nigeria, as we cannot continue like this and expect to build a great nation.
“Never in its annals has our country been so confronted with bestial and violent attacks, economic inadequacy, political intolerance, tribal sentiments, human rights abuses, corruption and religious bigotry. We must stop to think, can we continue like this and be progressive as a nation? Can we catch up with the rest of the world with this kind of attitude?”
Remarking further, the political activist and 2008 United Nations Youth Ambassador for World Peace, said: “All religions of the world preach peace, unity and brotherliness. For anyone or group to hide under the clout of religion to carry out senseless and criminal attacks is untenable, unjustifiable and indefensible. It is even worse and insulting to the intelligence for people behind such attacks to claim to be Muslims while attacking mosques and churches during the holy month of Ramadan.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is enjoined in the Al-Quran 16: 125 that: ‘Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them I ways that are best and most gracious!’
“All religions believe that prayer is the key to success, upliftment and peace, I call on everyone, regardless of our religion to continue to pray for Nigeria so that the country can fulfill its destiny, not only for Nigerians alone, but also for Africans and in deed, humanity.”