Eid-el-Kabir: Spread Love, Atiku Admonishes Muslims

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has admonished Muslim faithfuls in the country to foster and spread love among fellow Nigerians for the sake of the nation’s unity.

Abubakar, who made his view known in a statement to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration issued by his media office on Monday in Abuja, stated that religion should in fact be a way of promoting love among the people.

He added that the problem with Nigeria was not her diversity or complexity, but the way Nigerians interact with each other.

“The common interests that unite Nigerians are by far stronger than those petty factors that divide us,” Abubakar said, adding that diversity could be used to advantage.

He said that intolerance, extremism and bigotry, if unchecked, could threaten peace and unity in any country while peace and unity are the greatest assets that should not be taken for granted by Nigerians.

He asserted further that bigotry would hinder inter-religious relations and dialogue, thereby defeating human reason and wisdom.

Abubakar urged the Muslim faithfuls to promote the beauty of their religion through positive personal conduct, as he noted that all religion advocate for a peaceful society.

He said that societies founded on hate and bigotry were always exposed to conflicts, adding these negative emotions should only be defeated by the power of love.

While wishing Muslims successful Sallah celebration, Abubakar advised the faithful to remain vigilant against the influence of violent extremism which had been used by misguided elements to portray Islam in bad light.