Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has admonished adherents of Islam to put to practice the lessons of Ramadan so that the holy month can become a life-changing experience for them all.He said the fear of God, self-discipline, study of Koran, obedience to the teachings of the Holy Prophet, prayers, unity, national consciousness and fulfilment of civic obligations exhibited during Ramadan should be sustained after the holy month so that Nigeria would be a better place for all.
Amosun spoke yesterday in Abeokuta during the 2013 Special Ramadan Iftar, organised by the state government. He said the faithful must demonstrate discipline, obedience to constituted authority, love, compassion and tolerance at all times. "These attributes will not only help our spiritual development, but go a long way in promoting our physical development as a nation," he said.In his Iftar lecture titled,
“The Principles, the Myths, the Politics and the Sciences of Moon Sighting in Nigeria” the Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, explained that "Islam is a communal region" and not driven by individualism."You cannot just wake up and claim you have sighted the moon and hence begin fasting; you have to inform the authorities who are experts in such matters," he explained.
He said sighting of the moon had been aided by scientific instruments and decried the introduction of politics into the issue.Prof Oloyede condemned the corruption in the process of obtaining visa for pilgrimage and called on Saudi Arabia to partner with Nigeriato eradicate the racket."Islam does not condone corruption," he said.
Via: Ogun State Government - Official Press Release