By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has called for rededication to the cause of mankind, appreciation to the gift of life and to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighbourliness.
The monarch spoke through the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Mr Bode Durojaiye on Friday.
According to the Alaa, what particularly makes the festival of Eid-al-Adha significant is because it is rooted in the scriptural accounts of both Islam and Christianity about how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), in obedience to God was to sacrifice his son before divine intervention.
“Thus, the true meaning and essence of this occasion is submission, obedience and love, virtues that are in short supply in our country today.
“Eid-el-Kabir is therefore a season that calls for rededication to the cause of mankind, to appreciate the gift of life and to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighbourliness.
“In spite of challenges in the process of nation-building, what confronts us is not particularly peculiar. Therefore, as we celebrate this special festival, we must reflect on and imbibe the essence of sacrifice and humility for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our country.
“We also need to take this opportunity to reach out to everyone in promoting love, peace and unity.”
Alaafin noted that while it is expected that friends and families will join together in merriment, it is important not to lose sight of the true meaning of this special occasion and the spirit of sacrifice it represents.
“The day, is meant “to multiply good deeds by bringing happiness and pleasure to the hearts of other Muslims, by helping and supporting the poor and needy, and by getting involved in pastimes that emphasize the strong and serious Islamic character.
“What that suggests is that situations in the country make it compelling for adherents of Islam and indeed all Nigerians to look beyond themselves and their immediate environment.
“Paying attention to the plight of the poor, we invariably place the welfare of our neighbours as important as ours; by allowing others to partake of our wealth or material possessions, we honour the ones who made the provision in the first place.
“This happens to be at the heart of all religions, but a virtue that is particularly at the heart of this festival.”
Oba Owoade reiterated that the occasion should therefore go beyond the slaughtering of rams to sharing love and material possessions not only with relatives or acquaintances, but also with the displaced, the elderly, the orphans and other people at the margin of the society, including those with special needs.
Said he, “It is also important that Nigerians begin to embrace and support charitable causes and there is no better occasion than today to make such resolve.”
