The Chief Imam Izala Mosque, Assheir Bashir Salihu Abuga, has hailed the Cross River State Governmment for gifting rams to all the Imams for the celebration of Edl-Kabir in the state.
Abuga, who spoke through an interpreter Wednesday made this known to Journalists shortly after the Edl-Kabir prayers held at the cultural centre complex, Calabar.
In an interview he said “Today’s significant of Muslim prayer was to mark the Edl-Kabir. It was very important as it is inline with the teaching of Quran that prophet Abraham was asked in the dream to slaughter his son and by faith and obedience Allah substitute a Ram for the child.”
Imam Abuga, said the contribution of Edl-Kabir to the peace and unity of Nigeria is the prayers they offer to Allah for mutual coexistence.
“We are so happy for the peace, and harmony we enjoy in Calabar. Since we came here we have no problem with the indigenous people of Cross River State.”
“We have been living together in peace, Abuga said “our Mosque is adjacent to Apostolic Church and there has been mutual understanding between Muslim Umars and Christian faithful.”
He used the occasion to thank the state government for their support to Izala Mosque. According to him, “they have been so good that they gave us a Ram that we slaughtered today to mark the Edl-Kabir.”
Also speaking, the leader of the Hausa/Fulani Muslims Community in Cross River State. Alhaji Sariki Garba Lawan IV. While wishing all the Muslim Umars peaceful Edl-Kabir celebration, said it is a moment they share everything that got to do with peace and relationship.
He said today was the commemoration of Edl-Kabir which is the highest celebration in the Muslims calendar.
Lawan went on to say It’s a time they also share love promote peace and violence free relationship and used the medium to pray for Nigeria and state as well.
“I wish all Muslims Umar peaceful celebration because it is a moment we share everything that got to do with peace and relationship,” Sariki IV said.
On his part, the Chairman JIBWIS Alhaji Salihu Suleman Idris, Izala Mosque Calabar, said Edl-Kabir is a time to pray for peace and development of the country.
“Without peace no development will thrive. This gathering for prayers is one of the pillars of Islamic religion,”he said “we call on all Muslim Umars to give peace a chance so we can achieve unity and progress.”
According to Salihu Abubakar Bashil, secretary JIBWIS “I don’t have sufficient words to describe my joy over this gathering for prayers today,” Bashil said he was happy to see Christian brothers and sisters around them including the security men to ensure everyone was saved and happy.
“So this means a lot to me religiously,” he said gathering like this contributes a lot to the development of the nation because it promotes mutual coexistence between Muslim and Christian faithful.
While commending Governor Bassey Edet Otu for his magnanimity Bashil said “I witness that Cross River State Governmment has gaven Ram to all the Imams in the state to slaughter and make sacrifice to almighty God, that goes to show how much the state government has been supporting the Muslim community in Calabar.”
Secretary Hausa/Fulani Muslims community C’River state, Salisu Abubakar Muhammad, in his words shortly after the prayers said “this celebration of Edl-Kabir started during prophet Ibrahim when Allah permits him to do sacrifice during this period.”
He said the more significant of Edl-Kabir celebration is when you slaughter the ram because you have a reward from each of the hair of the ram.
Muhammad went down memory lane saying that the grandfather of the Sariki the IV was the first Hausa and Muslim Umar to settle here in calabar in 1863.
He said where it is called bogobiri today was named Sabogari but after the death of the grandfather of Sariki the IV the place was renamed after Sariki’s grandfather.
Also, he said the Governor gave all the Imams Ram yesterday and described the act as a sign of a cordial relationship between Muslim Umars and Cross River state government.
“Islam is a religion of peace. In Cross River State we have been enjoying peace, our relationship is being peaceful all years and it is not in doubt,” Muhammad said.