Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and residents of Kwara State on Wednesday joined in the 2023 public commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
Seated to the right of Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and dozens of his chiefs and prominent religious leaders, the governor attended the event in company of cabinet members and loyalists in Ilorin, the state capital.
Thousands of Muslims, men and women, attended the Maulid as AbdulRazaq called on the faithful to imbibe “his time-tested values of sincerity of purpose, fairness, compassion to all, constant remembrance of God, and a strong sense of community built on the fear of God and collective good”.
“I join the entire Muslim community and people of Kwara State as a whole to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. May the peace and blessings of Allah be on the Prophet, his households, his companions, and all of us.
“There is no limitation to how far we can go if we always act as a community of people united by common humanity and interdependence. I urge us to work together as one people joined by one destiny and exemplary values.
“Esteemed brothers and sisters, and our leaders, I assure you that our administration will continue to do its best within available resources to serve you in fairness. We will always act in good faith.
“Once again, I congratulate the Muslim community on the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet.
“We thank His Excellency for his generosity and humility and for always standing by us. We pray Allah to bless and honour you,” chairman of the Kwara State Muslim Council, retired Grand Kadi Justice Soliu Mohammed, said while congratulating the entire community on the occasion of Maulud Nabi.
The Grand Kadi, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, who was the keynoter at the event, said the Maulud Nabi offers a ground for introspection for the Muslims, especially the people of Ilorin.
“Let us be complete Muslims, in action and utterances, and not follow the path of Satan. The recent event in Ilorin is a lesson to all and a call for us to look inward,” the Justice said.
The Grand Kadi called for patience and understanding as the country marches through a new economic phase with the removal of fuel subsidy.
He called on the people to live within their means, and be patient.
The chairman of the event, Moshood Mustapha, who commended the governor for his commitment to the community and the state, urged the Muslims to adhere to the dictates of the religion and admonition of the prophet.
He urged people to avoid spreading rumour and propaganda against others.
Sheikh Abdulmumin Hanafi Ayara, one of the two lecturers at the event, urged the people to support and pray for the government. He expressed concerns about Federal Government promoting “gambling”, urging a review of it in the interest of all.
Sheikh Ayara said the Muslims were grateful to the governor for his many pro-people policies and dispositions, including the declaration of Hijrah Holiday in the state.
Dr. AbdulKadir Sambaki, the second lecturer, who stood in for Sheikh Habeebullah Adam el-Ilory, called on the government to hire more teachers for religious studies in public schools.
He also called on citizens to forgive one another, and assist one another to do good.
The event wrapped up with the governor standing in honour of the children from dozens of Islamic and Arabic schools for their march-past.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has urged Muslims to emulate the great virtues and legacies of Prophet Muhammad in their dealings with fellow human beings.
The Emir in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, in commemoration of this year’s birthday of Prophet Muhammad noted that for peace and unity to be sustained globally, the exceptional attributes of the noble prophet must be imbibed by all and sundry.
“Prophet Muhammad remains the best solution and direction to seeking and earning maximum rewards from Almighty Allah.
“The best example of character is in the noble prophet and it behoves every mankind to continue to shower praises on him as directed by Allah,” said the Emir.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, however, appealed to muslim faithful to rededicate themselves to the commandments of Allah as contained in the Holy Quran and His Prophet including shunning all kinds of mischief, which might disrupt public peace, unity, harmony as well as human brotherhood:
“Let’s continue to obey the commandments of Allah by praying for the soul of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, his households, companions and the generality of Muslim faithful globally both in prosperity and adversity.
“No man and prophet has been raised above the noble prophet in all endeavours and it is on this note that I join Nigerians and humanity at large in celebrating his birth and I urge the people of Ilorin Emirate and beyond to continue to extol his virtues as a true servant of Allah whose accomplishments transcends human reasoning and thoughts.”
In a related message, the senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly and Turaki of Ilorin, Senator Saliu Mustapha, admonished Nigerians irrespective of their ethnicity, religious beliefs and political affiliations to imbibe and put into practice, the virtues of peace, piety and honesty, which Holy Prophet Muhammad exemplified.
The legislator particularly enjoined Muslim faithful to emulate the exemplary lifestyle of the holy Prophet Muhammad and adhere to the tenets of Qur’an and principles of Hadith he propagated.
In a statement issued to journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to commemorate the Maulud Nabi celebration, the Turaki of Ilorin, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, recalled that Prophet Muhammad had throughout his lifetime, preached love, piety, peace and honesty among the people.
“The importance of this occasion is to remember the life and times of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and emulate his exemplary character.
“I’m using this occasion to call on Muslim ummah and Nigerians as a whole to emulate all these noble characteristics of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, who lived a peaceful life, preached peaceful co-existence among and between his followers and the adherents of other beliefs,” Mustapha said.
While praying for an end to insecurity, economic crisis and other challenges bedeviling Nigerians, the Kwara Central senator urged Muslims, particularly the Islamic preachers and teachers as well as Muslim leaders to preach moral values, piety, love and other values of Islam always to their disciples for the restoration of peace in the society.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Dr. Ahmed Yinka Aluko, representing Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency, has emphasized the significance of Maulud Nabi beyond its celebration.
He explained that Maulud Nabi, marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), is a time for deep contemplation on his life, teachings, and character.
Aluko encouraged fostering harmony and unity within communities, emphasizing the importance of sharing love and resources.
He called upon the affluent to extend their blessings to the less fortunate, creating a cycle of reciprocity that strengthens society.
“I’m delighted to join Muslims worldwide in commemorating this year’s Maoulud Nabiyy, and I offer prayers for the restoration of peace and harmony in our country and the global community.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, and all the Islamic clerics in our community on this auspicious day,” Aluko said.
He, however, sent warm regards to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and all citizens of Kwara, near and far.
Aluko assured that embracing the teachings of the noble Prophet will bring manifold blessings to all.
