Assalamalaikum warahmatul Allah wa barkatu ammah ba'ad. 

May the love of Allah, the Most Beneficent and Most Merciful orders the steps of the faithful into rightful guidance as we commemorate Sallah of this year. 

Muslims globally celebrate Eid el Kabir and as a friend, brother who is alhul kitaab, I join the Muslim ummah on this day of great blessings.  

Islam is the foundation of peace, no wonder all pleasantries commence with assalamalaikum. Islam is a religion of care as exemplified in the life of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh. The selfless sacrifices of trusted Companions, Abubakar, Umar, Ali, Uthman alongside other guided Companions attested to the fact that humanity is cardinal to Islam. 

On a day like this it is imperative to reflect on these virtues to keep us within rightful guidance. It is not debatable that Islam is knowledge because the first revelation to the Holy Messenger is instructive, "read in the name of your God who created all things". Subsequently, the Hadith provides that "search for knowledge as far as Sigh". Therefore, can one be a Muslim without knowledge? I think it will be dangerous. 

The bane of contemporary Islam is half knowledge couple with self-pride motivated by the desire for relevance. Humility and submission to the supreme will of God has been replaced by a desire for material consideration. This unfortunate scenario accounts for the rising profile of extremism in Islam. The lack of knowledge of Islam has also created phobia amongst Christians and other non-Muslims.  

Today Islam is misconceived by many as synonymous with violence. This negative perception had generated hatred which politicians in Nigeria have exploited for their selfish interests. We must collectively reject these pervasive orientations, which has done us no good. I hereby challenge the Muslim faithful to reclaim this religion of peace from captivity of violent elements. Muslims should distinguish themselves from acts that cannot be reconciled with the life and times of the Holy Prophet.  

Those advocating violence as modern Islam should carry us along by conviction. Is there compulsion in religion? Or is there another revelation and to whom that mandates Muslims to compel people to join Islam? "There is no compulsion in religion, but it's a matter of conviction" Therefore, I find it incredible to accept intolerance as part of Islam because how can the covenant of St. Catherine then be explained? Christians were protected under the leadership of the Holy messenger; why will anybody kill them today in the name of jihad? All those who are engaged in such evil practices are political Muslims, but certainly not followers of the man of peace, Muhammad, pbuh. 

I join Muslims to celebrate eid el Kabir and enjoin all to return to the true teaching of the Holy Quran and Hadith. As you celebrate, remember to discharge the burden of members of your community. It is recorded that during Eid el Kabir, the Messenger of God slaughtered two rams, one for his family and the other for members of his community. As alhul kitaab, Iam a neighbour therefore send me my ram.  

May peace and love flourish amongst Nigerians as we march towards the promise land under the leadership of the man of destiny, Mr. Belong to everybody and belong to nobody.  I love you all.

Eid Mubarak.

APC USA International Secretariat Working for you

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.