Worshippers in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Saturday turned out en masse to observe the 2-rakat Eid-el Kabir prayer
The Eid prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu, who thereafter slaughtered sacrificial ram which symbolised the height of the Eid rites.
Also at the Eid was the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, accompanied by a retinue of royal chiefs and kakaki-blaring traditional guards.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, charged muslim faithfuls to sustain their religious obligations of living in peace and harmony with their fellow human beings.
He added that they should not involve in any action that can cause disunity among members of the society,
The monarch who stated this on Saturday shortly after observing two-rakats prayers at the Ilorin Central Eid praying marking this year’s Eid-el-Kabir sallah festival, said “I appeal to my people to be security conscious by being vigilant at all times.”
According to him, “I thank almighty Allah for the increased mutual under and spirit of co-operation and love among our people, especially among our leaders.
“I thank all the people of my Emirate for maintaining the traditional peaceful coexistence and harmony for which Ilorin Emirate is unique and reputed.”
The Emir furthers that, “To those who are performing this year’s holy pilgrimage among us, we wish them Allah’s traveling mercies and happy return to their respective homes, May the gull blessings of Eid-el-Kabir be upon us all.
“For those who celebrated last year’s sallah with us but are now dead, we pray that Allah grant them Al-janatul firdaos and take good care of all those who survived them.”
The Emir therefore rejoiced with the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and prayed Allah to continue to guide and protect him in the course of governing the State.
At the praying ground, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq set the ground for a peaceful atmosphere with his open exchange of pleasantries with leading opposition figures.
The Governor’s disposition, which underscored his political maturity, statesmanship and love for peace, drew applauses and commendations from creme de la creme of Ilorin and thousands of the Muslim faithfuls
Shortly after arriving the Eid ground in company of his elder brother and Mutawali of Ilorin Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, the Governor rose from his seat to exchange pleasantries and Eid felicitations with co-worshippers on the same roll, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former PDP National Chairman Kawu Baraje; and former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Alfa Belgore, amongst others.
In a brief interview with reporters shortly before leaving for the palace to pay homage to the Emir, the Governor said he was glad about the peaceful Eid.
“We thank God that we had a peaceful Eid. My message to Nigeria is about peace. As long as we have peace, our country will prosper and progress. We should all work for peace always. That is my Eid message,” he told reporters.
The Eid was similarly attended by several statesmen, cabinet members, members of the governing and opposition parties.
End
