5000 fasting Muslims to pray for Leah Sharibu's release in Lagos

About 5000 Muslims are expected to break their fast together and also pray for the release of abducted Nigerians, including Leah Sharibu on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Amir (President) of the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit, Saheed Ashafa, and made available to journalists on Wednesday, May 15, 2019.

In the statement, Ashafa said that the programme tagged Iftar5000 would avail Muslims an opportunity to pray for security in Nigeria.

According to Ashafa, the event holding on Thursday, May 16, at Lagos Secretariat Mosque, Alausa, would also address other issues such as peaceful transition on May 29, increasing cases of kidnapping, an end to terrorism in the country among others.

Dr Saheed Ashafa, the Amir of Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria urged Muslims to take advantage of the blessings of the month of Ramadan to pray for Leah Sharibu and the country. (MSSNLagos) ece-auto-gen

The Amir said that the Muslims would be take advantage of the blessings of the month of Ramadan to pray for Allah’s mercy on Nigeria.

He explained that with strong faith and sincere devotion, Nigeria's challenges will be a thing of the past.

He said, “Ramadan offers a unique opportunity for quick answering of prayers. We have been concerned about the increasing rate of kidnappings, and killings among other security challenges confronting Nigeria. During the Iftar5000, we will be praying for an end to these.

"We will also pray for the return of Leah Sharibu and others in kidnappers' den, new leaders that will be taking their oath of offices in May 29 and end to global trial and challenges confronted by Muslims.

"We therefore urge all Muslim faithful to join us as we stage a public session of prayer. With the way Nigeria is going, it has shown that divine intervention is highly needed.

"While we won't stop praying, we call on government and security agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens in the country."

Leah Sharibu was abducted by terrorists, alongside 111 other girls and another schoolboy, on February 19, 2018 in Bursari local government area of Yobe state. She was 14 at the time.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, Sharibu turned 16 in Boko Haram custody.