'Let's put our prejudices aside', President urges Nigerians in Sallah message

dimeji akinloye

August 31, 2017 8:54 PM

Buhari also expressed gratitude to Nigerians who sincerely prayed for his recovery and safe return to the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians put prejudices aside in the interest of the country.

He stated this on Thursday, August 31, in his Sallah message to Nigerians.

In the message, Buhari also expressed gratitude to Nigerians who sincerely prayed for his recovery and safe return to the country, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity and political affiliations.

"On the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration, I appeal to all Nigerians to rise against the odds, keep our prejudices aside and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity to keep our country together," the President said.

Read the full message below:

Fellow Compatriots,

I felicitate with you all, particularly the Muslim faithful, on the celebration of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.

I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters who are currently in Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj.

From the outset, I want to use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians who prayed for my recovery and have continued to extend their goodwill and support after my return to the country.

Indeed your fervent and sincere prayers, which cut across religion, political and ethnic divides, has energised me to re-dedicate myself and this administration to the task of building a great Nigeria.

On the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration, I appeal to all Nigerians to rise against the odds, keep our prejudices aside and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity to keep our country together.

For Muslims all over the world, this celebration is to commemorate the trials and triumph of Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim.

As we celebrate, I sincerely believe that our nation can make rapid progress on all fronts if we re-enact the exemplary virtues, typified by Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim, through his sacrifice, patience, steadfastness, generosity and obedience to Allah’s command and constituted authority.

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We must learn to see ourselves as brothers and sisters from the same heritage, who must come to terms with the African proverb that ‘‘a family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break.’’

Once again, I assure you that this administration, which has made the security, economic well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians its priority, will not rest on its oars until we see the Nigeria of our dream.

I wish everyone happy Sallah celebrations.

dimeji akinloye