As Ramadan is about to begin, faithful Muslims have been urged to strengthen their faith and sustain the lessons learned during and beyond Ramadan.
Speaking at the 11th annual pre-Ramadan lecture held in the central Masjid, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state, the chief Imam, Sheikh Jibrin Yusuf Danladi, said the spiritual aspect of fasting is to bring the Muslim Ummah closer to the Almighty.
Dwelling on the topic “Fasting as Spiritual Discipline“, the chief Imam calls on all Muslims to stay away from anything that would spoil their fasting by not infringing on the rights of people, be they Muslim or Christian.
Sustain the Virtues
He further urged them to fear God and not to indulge in any illicit acts that will lead them to spoil their fast and to sustain the virtues learned during Ramadan and beyond.
Also speaking on the topic, “Dangers of the Tongue and Social Media in Islam“, Judge of the Area Court of Nasarawa Eggon, Hafiz Umar Yakubu Marafa, emphasises the negative impact of social media, the danger of the tongue, and how people abuse social media in the name of freedom, which is causing a lot of immorality.
“There must be that level of moral consciousness, and that will encourage them to respect the law, and as a result, there is going to be a harmonious relationship and peaceful co-existence among all religions.”
He therefore charged Muslims to use social media for good causes and not in a bad light that would cause a lack of modesty.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of Nasarawa Eggon, Mr Iliya Ibn Aliyu, applauded the Islamic Society of Eggonland (ISE) for all the things they have been doing.
He said the government would continue to support religious organisations and non-governmental organisations geared toward promoting sustainable peace, unity, security, and stability in the council.
Achieve Set Objectives
He expressed satisfaction with the turnout of participants and advised them to pass down the clear message received to their followers to achieve the set objectives.
“This is the 11th Ramadan Lecture they have been organising. It’s quite an interesting lecture that has been consistent by gathering Imams and equipping them with more knowledge that would be downloaded at their various communities to the masses.”
The host and organiser of the Ramadan Lecture, the Islamic Society of Eggonland (ISE), general secretary, Alh. Umar Abdullahi Galle said the objective is to create awareness by reminding people of the Islamic faith of their obligation during the month of Ramadan.
He said the non-governmental organisation ISE’s main focus is to educate Imams in both local and widely spoken languages on contemporary issues affecting Muslims and Islam, who, after receiving the messages, would go back to the rural communities to propagate their religion.
“The knowledge is designed to enhance the Imams’ Ramadan Tafsir sessions and equip them with insights to address the needs of their congregations.”
Participants at the Ramadan Lecture appreciated the Islamic Society of Eggonland (ISE) for equipping them with updated knowledge about fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
“There is a need for Muslims, Christians, and pagans to live together in peace. And you cannot achieve that without peace and relating well with people.”
They, however, pledged to pass the knowledge to their various communities and to the masses.
The theme: “Ramadan and beyond: Strengthening faith, relationships, and responsible living in the digital age”.
ISE has also sponsored six Juma’at imams to perform this year’s hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This is the fourth time the Islamic Society of Eggon-Land has shouldered the responsibility to sponsor the Juma’at imams numbering twenty-six, within five years, for initiating the gesture across the Nasarawa Eggon local government area of Nasarawa State.