4th Dhul-Hijjah, 1435AH
29th September, 2014
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the astute leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, NSCIA, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, congratulates the entire Muslim ummah in Nigeria and beyond on the auspicious occasion of this year’s Eidil Adha celebrations.
As millions of our brethren converge on the holy precincts of Ka’abah, Muna, Muzdalifah and ‘Arafah in these blessed days and relive the commitment, patience and sacrifice of the father of faith, Ibrahim, Muslims in Nigeria are enjoined to use this occasion to demonstrate the faith of Ibrahim against the backdrop of the contemporary challenges facing the Ummah.
This Ibrahimic faith will be reflected in the unflinching commitment to Islam, despite the powerful forces massed against it in Nigeria today; patience in the face of unprecedented adversity befalling the ummah of Muhammad worldwide and sacrifice with the belief that Allah rewards and replenishes as He wishes.
While fecilitating with Muslims and urging them to reflect on the fact that neither the flesh nor the blood of the sacrificial animals reach Allah but our piety, the NSCIA urges the Ummah to continue to pray on these days of tashreeq that Allah continue to expose and humiliate all those who manipulate state power and Christianity to malign, denigrate and attack Nigerian Muslims for ungodly and mundane proposes.
Also, Muslims who are not on pilgrimage are urged to fast on the day of ‘Arafah, intensify the recitation of Al-Qunut and engage in meritorious activities with the conviction that Allah will take charge of our concerns. We pray that Allah accept our ‘ibadah and sacrifice, increase our ‘iman and good deeds and grant us the faith of Ibrahim and divine protection.
Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, OFR, FNAL, FNIM
Secretary General
For and on behalf of the NSCIA
