The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has urged pilgrims performing the lesser Hajj to pray fervently for peace, unity and stability in Nigeria.
The Monarch made the appeal in a goodwill message issued through his Press Secretary, Abdulazeez Arowona, encouraging pilgrims in the Saudi Arabia to remember the nation in their prayers during the Umrah pilgrimage.
According to the traditional ruler, “peaceful coexistence, religious harmony and the prevention of a breakdown of law and order remain key factors for achieving sustainable growth and development in any nation.’
The Monarch urged the pilgrims to use the spiritual opportunity of the pilgrimage to pray for the progress of Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State, Nigeria and humanity at large.
“I urge you all to use this auspicious occasion of Umrah pilgrimage to intensify prayers for Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State, Nigeria and humanity at large for the realisation of global peace amid ongoing tension, insecurity and other social challenges,” the statement reads.
He also appealed to Pilgrims from Kwara State and Nigeria in general to be good Ambassadors of the nation throughout their stay in Makkah and Madinah and shun all acts capable of labelling and projecting Nigeria in a bad image.
The Monarch sent his goodwill messages to the Muslim Ummah, whose intention is to perform Itikhaf in Jumat mosques across the country, beseeching the Almighty to make it easy for them with absolute acceptance and maximum rewards.
The Emir therefore prayed for a successful Umrah exercise in sound health and Allah’s providence as well as to protect the family members they left behind at home.