Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, urged Muslims across the country to offer serious prayers against the coronavirus pandemic raving the world, as they begin to observe the Ramadan fast today.
The Sultan, who made the passionate plea in a radio and television broadcast on Thursday, also formally declared today, Friday, April 24, 2020, as the beginning of the Ramadan fast in Nigeria.
The head of Muslims in Nigeria also asked the faithful to pray for leaders across board for Allah to give them the wisdom needed to stir the ship of state in these difficult times. He also tasked them to pray for the unity, progress, peace and prosperity of Nigeria.
In addition and most significantly, Alhaji Abubakar, who announced the sighting of the new crescent in Sokoto during the broadcast, advised the Muslim Ummah to commit themselves fully to the worship of Allah throughout the holy month and live peacefully with one another.
“We further call on Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious and tribal difference,” he said.
The Sultan also viewed the hardship being currently endured by poor Nigerians in the face of the full or partial lockdown forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and implored wealthy Nigerians to assist the poor.
He also called for increased religious tolerance and brotherhood in Nigeria.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslim faithful observe one month fast.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a compulsory religious obligation on all adult Muslims.
