Ramadan 2021: Buhari urges Muslims to reject voices of division

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, urged Nigerian Muslims to practice patience and forbearance and reject voices that seek to divide the country.

Buhari disclosed this in a message to mark the commencement of Ramadan, which was contained in a statement made available to reporters by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

The statement was named, ‘President Buhari welcomes Ramadan, asks citizens to remember the poor and the Internally displaced.”

It read, “President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday welcomed the beginning of Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan, which marks the commencement of 30 days of fasting.

“In a message to the nation to mark the occasion, President Buhari prayed to Allah to accept our sacrifices and increase the unity, solidarity, peace and prosperity of the nation.

“He urged Muslims in the country to exercise patience and tolerance and reject voices that seek to divide the nation.

“He also urged all citizens to show compassion to the millions of the less endowed and remember those that have been displaced by conflict in their charity and prayers in this important period.”

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam.

The fast begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking during this time, Muslims abstain from sexual relations and sinful speech and behaviour during Ramadan fasting or month.

The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities.

Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches them to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity.

The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan.