President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that activities to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri to mark the end of Ramadan fast should be low key.
He ordered the modest celebration because of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity Malam Garba Shehu, the President, just like last year, cancelled the traditional Sallah homage during which time he receives religious, traditional and political leaders at the State House.
The President will be restricted to having a low-key Eid prayer on the forecourt of Presidential Villa with his family and few public servants.
“To this effect, the President, First Family, his personal aides, members of cabinet and Service Chiefs who choose to remain in Abuja will congregate in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa to observe the Eid prayers. Time fixed for the prayer is 9:00am.
“Thereafter, there will be no traditional Sallah homage to the President by religious, community and political leaders. As was the case last year, the President encourages such leaders to be content with modest celebrations at home in view of the pandemic.
“President Buhari specially thanks the Ulama (Islamic clerics) and all other religious (Muslim, Christian) leaders who continue to pray for the wellbeing of the nation and its people”, the statement said.
Buhari, yesterday, joined worshippers for the closing session of the Ramadan Tafsir at the State House Mosque.
According to a statement issued by Shehu, the session offered prayers for Allah’s protection to be upon the nation, its people and the leaders.
The President and worshippers listened to the final round of the daily interpretation of the Quran delivered by Sheikh Abdulwahid Abubakar Sulaiman, the Chief Imam, which they had done throughout the fasting period.
In today’s episode, the Imam reviewed the virtues of the Ramadan and prayed against disunity, unrest, anger and crimes. He also prayed to God for peace, harmony and security for the nation and its people.
In a short sermon to commemorate the end of the exercise, Sheikh Abdulwahid said we desperately needed God’s peace in view of the challenges facing the nation and urged the citizens to do justice to one another and seek restoration through repentance, humility and love.
