Lagos, June 16, 2024 – A socio-political group, The Collective Movement (TCM), has called on Muslim faithful across the country to reflect on the state of Nigerian economy as they celebrate the festival of sacrifice, Eid-ul-Adha.
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakrid, is the second-most significant festival in the Islamic calendar following Eid al-Fitr.
TCM made the plea in a statement on Sunday signed by its Director of Media, Ndubuisi Nwachukwu.
The group urged the Muslim faithful to pray for a quick turnaround of the country’s economy among other challenging issues bedeviling the country.
It appealed to them to remember the divine call of God for man to subdue nature and use it for the common good, and the nation at large.
According to TCM, as Eid-ul Adha is an occasion to remember the sacrifices Prophet Ibrahim made in obedience to the will of God.
Our political leaders are, therefore, called to make sacrifices that would improve the living conditions of the citizenry, instead of pursuing personal gains that appear to have plunged the country where it is today.
The group also advised elected officials at the three tiers of government, including political appointees to inculcate in themselves a sense of sacrifice that puts others and the country first.
The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18, 2024 as public holidays to celebrate this year’s Eid-ul-Adha, observed by Muslim faithful worldwide.
Commonly called the “Festival of Sacrifice,” it commemorates the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim and the survival of his son, Ishmael.
The story behind Eid al-Adha is rooted in the biblical account of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, to obey Allah. However, just as Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, an angel intervened, instructing him to sacrifice a lamb instead.
The faithful are expected to be engaged in communal prayers and marking the day with the slaughtering of their sacrifices – camel, sheep, goats – sharing food and visiting neighbours on this special and religious occasion.
