No fewer than 5,000 fasting Muslims have been said to seize the opportunity of the ongoing Ramadan fasting to embark on special prayers for Nigeria at a special Iftar (breakfast) programme, that will hold in Lagos on Tuesday.
This is contained in a press release by the Amir of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria in Lagos State, Dr Saheed Ashafa, who heads the organizing committee for the event.
Ashafa said the programme tagged, ‘Iftaar5000’, which coincides with Democracy Day in Nigeria, will see fasting Muslims converge on the Lagos Secretariat Central Mosque, Alausa Ikeja Lagos at 4pm to intercede for the country.
According to him, the 5000 Muslims who will be attending the programme will be making a huge sacrifice for the nation.
This, Ashafa said, was because one of the periods that the fast of a fasting Muslim is accepted is at the point when he/she wants to terminate his/her fast.
He explained that breaking fast together by the Muslims was also a means to emphasise the importance of unity among all religious faithful.
He said, “Iftar 5000 is obviously the largest gathering of Muslims in Lagos State. Before breaking our fast together, we will be praying for Nigeria and will also listen a soul inspiring lecture. We want our coming together to also encourage love and tolerance among Nigerians.
“You will agree with me that our dear country is currently experiencing difficult times, which is undoubtedly affecting all spheres of affairs, particularly the economy and security of lives and property, despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment and efforts towards finding lasting solutions to such problems.
“We can continue to count many mind-boggling challenges bedevilling the country. In fact, some Nigerians have already lost hope in Project Nigeria, but we believe in the Nigerian dream. We believe that the prayers of fasting Muslims have the capacity of healing the nation.
“Whatever the problems, national and immediate family problems alike, we must not despair. Instead, we should rely on Allah’s power to do all things, even when people think it is over. Allah says: ‘Do not give up and do not be downhearted. You shall be uppermost if you are believers’.”
