Eid-el-Fitr: Former Senate President asks Muslims to pray for Tinubu

Former Senate President Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan has urged Muslims to pray for President Bola Tinubu as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.

Lawan congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

“As the blessed month of Ramadan gracefully comes to an end, our hearts are filled with gratitude to Almighty Allah (SWT) for granting us the life, strength, and faith to witness its completion and celebrate the glorious day of Eid-el-Fitri.

“I extend my warmest and most heartfelt felicitations to the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the globe,” he said.

Lawan described Eid-el-Fitr as the culmination of a period of devotion, charity, and self-discipline observed during Ramadan.

He said: “Eid-el-Fitr is a spiritual convocation that marks the end of Ramadan. It is the day we reap the harvest of our patience, our charity, and our devotion.

“For thirty days, we engaged in an exercise of self-discipline and God-consciousness (Taqwa). We denied the flesh to nourish the soul. We felt the pang of hunger so that we might never forget the plight of the needy.

“As we exchange greetings and embrace our loved ones, my earnest prayer is that Almighty Allah accepts our fasts, our night prayers, and our good deeds.

“May He envelop us in His infinite mercy and grant us the blessing of witnessing many more Ramadans in good health and faith.”

Lawan urged Muslims to retain the lessons of discipline, patience, and righteousness learnt during Ramadan.

“The holy Qur’an did not prescribe fasting merely to make us hungry; it prescribed it to make us righteous. The true test of our Ramadan is not how well we fasted, but how well we retain its spirit,” he said.

He also acknowledged Christians observing the Lenten season, urging Nigerians to embrace shared values of compassion and sacrifice.

“In this spirit of shared devotion, we also recognize and honour our Christian brothers and sisters who are currently observing the holy season of Lent.

“This beautiful confluence of our sacred seasons on the calendar is not a coincidence; it is a divine reminder of our shared values,” he said.

Lawan said Nigeria faces challenges relating to unity, security, and economic stability but expressed confidence that the country can overcome them.

He said: “Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. We face tests of unity, security, and economic stability. However, I am convinced that the same doggedness that carried us through 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting is the same spirit that will carry our nation through its trials.

“To my colleagues in public office, let the empathy of Ramadan, and the solemn reflection of Lent, guide your decisions.

“Let us remember that leadership is not about privilege, but about service to the millions of Nigerians who look to us for hope, regardless of their faith.”

Lawan also encouraged Nigerian youths to remain law-abiding and contribute positively to national development.

“To the youth, who are the torchbearers of our future, remain steadfast, law-abiding, and determined. Your energy, channeled positively, is the catalyst for the transformation we seek,” he said.

“To all citizens, let us continue to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our leaders. Let us reject the voices of division and hatred, and instead amplify the bonds of neighborliness and love for our fellow man,” he added.