HAPPY EID-EL-KABIR   

·          We should all imbibe the virtues of obedience, sacrifice and love

  What makes the ‘Eid al-Adha’, (better known as ‘Eid-el-Kabir)’ being celebrated today all over the world particularly significant is that it is rooted in the scriptural accounts of both Islam and Christianity. It revolves around the story of how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), in obedience to God was to sacrifice his son before the divine intervention that brought a ram instead. Thus, the true meaning and essence of this occasion is submission, obedience, and love–virtues that are in short supply in our country today. Therefore, beyond the merriment, Eid-el-Kabir is a season that calls on all Nigerians to appreciate the gift of life and to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighbourliness.

 

   Following an acrimonious general election, this year’s celebration is coming at a particularly difficult and trying time for many Nigerians. And the challenge is not only on the political front. With the removal of subsidy in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerians are going through harrowing times. The convergence of the exchange rates has also created temporary challenges. But by far the most worrying are the brutal killings that now define several theatres across the country. While we therefore expect friends and families to join in merriment, as the occasion of today demands, it is also important not to lose sight of its true meaning and the spirit of sacrifice it represents.   

 The Eid-el-Kabir, according to a scholar, is meant “to multiply good deeds by bringing happiness and pleasure to the hearts of other Muslims, by helping and supporting the poor and needy, and by getting involved in pastimes that emphasize the strong and serious Islamic character.” What that suggests is that the socio-economic conditions of the country as well as the security challenges that we grapple with make it compelling for adherents of Islam and indeed all Nigerians to look beyond themselves and their immediate environment.  

 Whatever the faith we profess, the festival of Eid ul Adha has a message for all of us. It is a season that reminds us to promote greater good of society- especially its vulnerable and poor segments. We therefore hope that by the time we celebrate this holiday next year, Nigerians can look back to this season and say that we came through it stronger as a nation.  

 The occasion of today should serve as a timely reminder of the beauty of peace as we visit family and friends and share in the joy of this festival. No period in our history offers better opportunity to share and to make sacrifice. The lessons are simple: by paying attention to the plight of the poor, we invariably place the welfare of our neighbours as important as ours; by allowing others to partake of our wealth or material possessions, we honour the One who made the provision in the first place. This happens to be at the heart of all religions, but a virtue that is at the heart of this festival.  

 Beyond the slaughtering of rams, Nigerians must share love and material possessions not only with relatives or acquaintances, but also with the displaced, the elderly, the orphans, and other people at the margins of the society. It is also important that Nigerians begin to embrace and support charitable causes and there is no better occasion than today to make such resolve.  

 As we celebrate this special festival, Nigerians must reflect on and imbibe the essence of sacrifice and humility for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our country. We also need to take this opportunity to reach out to everyone in promoting love, peace, and unity.   

·         We wish our Muslim readers Eid Mubarak.