President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday urged Muslims to continue to meditate on the immense benefits derivable by Nigeria from honesty, selflessness, tolerance, peaceful co-existence, equity, fairness and justice for all.
In his Eid-El-Kabir message to Nigerians, he noted that all those qualities are integral part of the message of the Holy Prophet.
He also maintained that he has no hidden agenda in the proposed national conversation as he urged all Nigerians to support the new effort at charting a new course for the country.
He said: “I extend warm greetings and felicitations to you all as we celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival. I also congratulate all Nigerians who have been able to undertake the Hajj this year in fulfillment of their religious obligations.
“As they undergo the rites of the Hajj in the Holy Land, and celebrate the Feast of Sacrifice here at home, I urge our Islamic Faithful to offer special prayers for peace, harmony, unity, security and progress in our fatherland.
“I also implore them, as always, to find time in the midst of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations to meditate on the immense benefits our nation can derive from a greater exhibition by its people of piety, honesty, selflessness, tolerance, peaceful co-existence with others, equity, fairness and justice for all, which are an integral part of the message of the Holy Prophet.
Jonathan continued: “My administration will continue to promote and encourage the teaching of these commendable virtues of Islam and our other religious beliefs in the knowledge that a greater manifestation of such virtues and ideals by our people will stand our country in very good stead as we strive to overcome the challenges of development and build a great nation.
“My administration also remains fully committed to the implementation of measures and policies that will further promote and enhance national peace, stability and progress.”
On the national conference, he said: “It is in keeping with that avowed commitment and my firm belief in the right to freedom of expression and the right of all people in a democracy to make choices on how they wish to live and be governed that I recently announced plans for an orderly national conversation on our problems and challenges. Those who continue to say that the initiative is diversionary or aimed at promoting certain political ambitions are in error.”
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