President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Muslims across Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Maulud, urging them to reflect on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad and apply his virtues in their daily lives.
The President made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, to mark the annual celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
Eid-el-Maulud is observed by Muslims in many parts of the world to commemorate the birth of the Prophet. The occasion is often marked with prayers, religious lectures, processions and gatherings where Muslims reflect on the Prophet’s teachings and his contributions to the spread of Islam.
In his message, Tinubu said the celebration should go beyond marking the birthday of the Prophet, stressing that Muslims should use the period for introspection, prayer and learning from his character.
He urged Muslim faithful to make deliberate efforts to practise the values demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad, including devotion, perseverance, tolerance, humility and selflessness.
“The Muslim faithful should make deliberate effort to adhere to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. There are great lessons of devotion, perseverance, tolerance, humility and selflessness that we can all learn from the life of the Prophet,” the President said.
Tinubu said these virtues were important not only to Muslims but to the wider society, particularly at a time when the country is facing several economic, security and social challenges.
The President also called on Islamic clerics and other religious leaders to use the Maulud period to pray for Nigeria and encourage their followers to contribute positively to the country.
He urged religious leaders to remind their followers that the lessons from the life of Prophet Muhammad should be reflected in their commitment to the nation.
According to him, the values of tolerance, humility, patience and selflessness can help strengthen peaceful relations among Nigerians and promote unity in the country.
The call comes amid continuing concerns over insecurity in parts of Nigeria, including attacks by terrorists and bandits, kidnapping and other violent crimes. The Federal Government has continued to assure Nigerians that efforts are being made to improve security and protect lives and property.
Tinubu therefore urged Muslims celebrating the festival to pray for an end to insecurity and other challenges affecting the country.
He also asked the faithful to remember poor and vulnerable Nigerians during the celebration by extending a hand of fellowship to those in need.
The President said the spirit of the season should encourage Muslims to support people who are struggling and promote kindness within their communities.
His appeal for assistance to the needy is coming at a time when many Nigerian households continue to face economic difficulties. Rising living costs, food prices and other financial pressures have made it difficult for many families to meet their basic needs.
The Federal Government has introduced several measures aimed at reducing the impact of economic hardship, while state governments and private organisations have also launched programmes to support vulnerable citizens.
Tinubu’s Maulud message therefore linked the religious celebration with the need for Nigerians to show greater compassion and responsibility towards one another.
He also encouraged Muslims to use the occasion to strengthen their faith and promote peaceful coexistence.
Eid-el-Maulud remains one of the important occasions on the Islamic calendar in Nigeria, where Muslims constitute a large part of the population. The celebration is observed through religious activities and messages from political and religious leaders.
Beyond religious activities, the occasion has also traditionally been used by Islamic scholars to encourage moral behaviour, peaceful living, respect for others and support for the less privileged.
The President’s message focused on the need for Nigerians to draw practical lessons from the Prophet’s life rather than treating the celebration as only a religious ceremony.
He said the virtues associated with Prophet Muhammad could guide individuals and communities in dealing with the challenges facing the country.
Tinubu also called for continued prayers for peace, stability and progress in Nigeria.
The President’s message came as Nigerians continued to grapple with insecurity and economic hardship, with government agencies and security forces working to address threats in different parts of the country.
He urged Muslims to make the most of the occasion by praying for the country, supporting the vulnerable and living according to the values of peace, patience, tolerance and selflessness.
Tinubu wished Muslim faithful across Nigeria a peaceful and meaningful Eid-el-Maulud celebration, while encouraging them to make the lessons of the Prophet’s life part of their everyday conduct.
The President said such values would help strengthen families, communities and the nation as a whole.