ACF, Northern Yoruba Obas urge prayers - The Nation Nigeria

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From AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

The Northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Yoruba Council of Obas and Chiefs in Northern Nigeria, have asked Muslims to pray for end of COVID-19

ACF and Council of Obas in their separate Eid-el-Fitr messages said, this year’s Eid-el-Fitr came at a time the world and Nigeria is battling Coronavirus pandemic.

In its message signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, ACF said, “The Arewa Consultative Forum celebrates with the Muslim Ummah the end of the Ramadan fasting period and Aid el Fitri Sallah.

“The Forum is aware that this year’s Eid-el-Fitri is a unique event because it has come at a time when the whole country, indeed the whole world is ravaged by coronavirus pandemic. it is a trying period not only for Nigerian Muslims but for all Nigerians.”

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“The Forum prays that the Almighty Allah will approve of your kind deeds and forgive all your disobedient acts and sins. The Forum also prays to Allah to ease the sufferings of Nigerians.

“We use this Sallah to call on all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic affiliation or religious belief to see this as an opportunity to share their love with their compatriots especially those who are in need and need to be loved and cared for.

“We are grateful that even though Covid-19 is novel, the Muslim community has broadly cooperated with the government in observing the anti Covid19 protocols. We appeal to them to continue and pray that this cooperation.

“The ACF prays that the Almighty Allah will show you the right path and help you in every step of life, it said.

In its own statement signed by its Chairman, Ambassador Mohammed Arigdabuwo, the Council of Obas said, they are aware that the month of Ramadan is so central in Muslims religion and therefore dear to them at personal and communal levels.

According to Arigbabuwo, this year’s Ramadan came at a very critical and trying moment for the entire world given the challenge and fear posed by the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

“In spite of the trying situation, we are glad that you did not allow the prevailing challenge to rob you of the joy and blessings of this Holy month.

“Therefore, we hopefully look forward to greater and more fruitful days together as we work to defeat the virus as well as promote peace, unity, and harmonious coexistence in all our communities.”