Jonathan Salutes Muslims At Ramadan, Calls For Special Prayers For Nigeria

hajj-mecca_2President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday saluted Muslims in the country on the eve of the Ramadan fast.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President urged adherents of the Islamic Faith to offer special prayers during the period for greater peace, security, unity and rapid socio-economic development in the country.

The statement reads:

“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Tuesday salutes all adherents of the Islamic faith in the country as they begin this year’s Ramadan fast.

“As they join the global Islamic community in undergoing the spiritual purification of Ramadan, President Jonathan urges all Nigerian Muslims to offer special prayers during the period for greater peace, security, unity and rapid socio-economic development in the country.

“The President calls on all Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to strive to imbibe in greater measure, the virtues of piety, self-discipline, tolerance, equity, fairness and sympathy for the less privileged which the Ramadan fast promotes.

“He also urges all persons of the faith who may have been misled by extremists and agents of international terrorism into taking up arms against their fellow countrymen, women and children to re-open their minds, during this Ramadan season, to Islam’s true lessons of love and peaceful co-existence with others.

“The President prays that God Almighty will grant the prayers of the faithful during Ramadan reward them bountifully and grant Nigeria greater peace, security, unity and national harmony.

“He wishes the Muslim community a successful and spiritually gratifying Ramadan fast.”