Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has suffered criticism from Nigerians over his call on Christians to join Muslims in observing the Ramadan fast.
Omokri made the call in a statement on X on Wednesday.
Noting that joining the Ramadan fast “will not make you less Christian or Jewish,” Omokri stated that “there is only one God.”
He also said, “Just as God is one, we ought to do anything that will bring us together as one under God without compromising our core beliefs.”
During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast every day from dawn to sunset.
Fasting requires abstinence from sex, food, drinking, and smoking. Fasting during the month of Ramadan was made obligatory (wājib) during the month of Sha’ban, in the second year after the Muslims migrated from Mecca to Medina. Fasting for the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Reacting to Omokri’s call for Christians and Jews to observe Ramadan fast, Yinkur Vongmar Bako stated that Omokri’s “teaching is grossly misleading. It’s capable of creating a guilt complex in those who are weak, and they will be doing things they don’t know.”
He added that “those who oppose it will be seen as intolerant but there’s no point in that at all. Muslims don’t need Christians to be Muslims.”
Furthermore, Bako laments, “It’s sheer hypocrisy to do that! The Christian allegiance is to Jesus Christ (Yeshua).
“You didn’t even ask them to observe the lent, which is the Christian fasting. You didn’t ask the Muslim to observe Lent.
“This is a doctrine of the Nicolaitans mentioned in Rev 2:15.”
Accusing Omokri of “eye service,” Okpara Clement states that, “During Lent, did you advise Muslims to fast with Christians?? Always doing eye service.”
For Panel Eze, he alleged that Omokri’s statement was made in a bid to secure a political appointment.
“Love for political power can lead you to accept anything. Stop playing politics with everything; our Muslim brothers know the truth better than you. Please let your intention be known and stop hiding with propaganda. Come out and contest for president,” Eze notes.
“If you are a Christian, as you claim, you should know that Christians are doing the same too, or don’t you know that Easter is around the corner? Mr know it all,” Emmanuel Upeh chides Omokri.
Mark Sadiq berates the social media influencer, saying, “He is always talking rubbish. This is one of the post-traumatic events after exile.”
Calling the PDP stalwart “anti-christ,” Orkuma Solomon argues that Omokri knows “nothing about Christianity!” How can someone who does nothing but only insults others for his daily bread have the nerve to teach anyone the Christian doctrine?! Please look for the anti-christ; that sounds more like your gang.”
“Why will Christians fast with Muslims when the Muslims will tell you that non-Muslims fasting in Ramadan is fasting in vain?” Famous Joe asked.
Omokri was also described as a “confused” man by John, who said, “Reno, you are not making any sense at all; Christians and Muslims don’t worship God the same way according to you, and you still want them to do the same practice of worship which they are not doing together. You are just confused, Mr. Man.”
Amid the backlash, Olaleye Qozeem notes that “it is better for a non-Muslim to fast according to his or her religion because Ramadan is for only believers according to Quran 2:183.
“So, as a non-Muslim, don’t join us in fasting so that you won’t waste your energy, but that doesn’t mean you should not wish us well.”
