Eid-el-Fitr: Alaafin calls for tolerance, compassion

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of tolerance, understanding, and good neighbourliness as foundational qualities for transforming the nation and fostering unity.

In his Eid-el-Fitr message to Muslims pn Sunday, Oba Owoade also emphasized rededication to both the Creator and the cause of humanity, calling on Nigerians to appreciate the gift of life and cultivate virtues such as tolerance and contentment.

According to a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the monarch noted that total submission to Allah’s will symbolizes true obedience, which is the essence of the festival.

“If we sincerely love in our hearts, governance would work, electoral reforms would be easier to accomplish, funds would be judiciously utilized for the good of the larger number, and leadership would love and cherish the led.

“That is the essence of the festival, which I recommend to all Nigerians, indeed, to all humanity, at this time,” the statement read.

The monarch called for love that prioritizes the well-being of others over personal or selfish interests.

“Love that considers others first, prefers others above personal and selfish desires, and which seeks to emancipate, unshackle, and liberate,” he said.

Highlighting the economic challenges facing the nation, Oba Owoade stressed the need for Muslims to extend their generosity beyond their immediate environment during the holy season.

The monarch said, “The timing of the festival this year could not have been more auspicious, given that the economy is in recession with all the attendant implications for millions of Nigerians.

“What that suggests is that the socio-economic condition of most Nigerians this year makes it compelling for adherents of Islam to look beyond themselves and their immediate environment, especially in this holy season.”

The Alaafin also urged philanthropists to remember the needy and underprivileged in their communities.

“The lessons of Eid-el-Fitr are simple: by paying attention to the plight of the poor, we invariably place the welfare of our neighbors as important as ours. By allowing others to partake of our wealth or material possessions, we honor the One (God) who made the provision in the first place.”

He further emphasized the importance of remembering the less privileged during the celebrations.

“It is important not to lose sight of the true meaning of this special occasion and the spirit of sacrifice it represents. With millions of our compatriots now refugees in their own country, the significance of Eid-el-Fitr this year cannot be overemphasized.”

Oba Owoade concluded by calling for acts of love and sharing beyond close circles.

“The occasion should therefore go beyond merrymaking to sharing love and material possessions not only with relatives or acquaintances, but also with the displaced, the elderly, the orphans, and other people at the margins of society, including those with special needs,” he said.