President Muhammadu Buhari urged Muslims on Wednesday to show kindness and love for humanity as this captures the essence of the 30-day Ramadan fast, which begins on Thursday.
He also warned grocery stores not to exploit other Muslims by charging exorbitant prices for food.
Buhari made the request in his annual Ramadan message to Nigerian Muslims at home and abroad, titled ‘President Buhari wishes Muslims a Happy Ramadan.’
This is stated in a statement signed late Wednesday by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.
In a goodwill message, Buhari said, “Let us use this opportunity to put the best teachings of Islam into practice, such as kindness and the love of humanity.
“This is an occasion for deep reflection and greater fear of Allah and avoidance of all evils that harm humanity.
“The Ramadan is characterised by abstention from food and drinks from dawn to dusk, which brings both the rich and poor to share the experience of hunger together, thereby strengthening the bonds between haves and have-nots.”
However, he explained that Ramadan is not only about abstention from eating and drinking, but it is a reminder to refrain from all kinds of evil and transgressions that harm humanity.
The president also warned traders to overcome the temptation to raise the prices of food commodities to exploit well meaning Nigerians in this season.
“I am particularly aware of the activities of traders who artificially increase the prices of their goods, including food at the beginning of every month of Ramadan.
“This kind of exploitation is against the spirit of Ramadan and the spirit of Islam,” Buhari stated.
Instead, he urged faithfuls to share food and drinks with the less fortunate, because “by sharing our blessings with others, Allah will multiply our rewards for good deeds.”
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