By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has enjoined the Muslim Ummah across the ancient city and their counterparts across the globe to use the period of Eld-Kabir festival to make obedience and submission to the will of Allah as pillars of existence.
Oba Olakulehin gave the charge in his Eld-Kabir festival message to the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Solomon Ayoade on Friday.
The monarch in the statement noted that the festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s spiritual and material sacrifices which is required of Muslims as part of their faith.
He urged the fateful to pray for peace, progress and economic recovery of the country, and for the well being of her citizens, emphasising the imperative of peaceful co – existence amongst ethnic nationalities across the the length and breadth of the nation.
Oba Olakulehin while speaking further urged political office holders to emulate the virtues of Prophet Ibrahim who in the process of obedience to Allah was bestowed with a white ram which marked the beginning of Eld Kabir festival; hence the commemoration of the devotion and submission of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to Allah’s will.
In his words, “We are celebrating Eld-Kabir, a festival of sacrifice and a period of obedience and submission. It is a period to remember to always obey God in all our doings.
“I am using this medium to congratulate and felicitate the Muslim Ummah in Ibadanland and their counterparts across the country as we witness this year’s Eld-Kabir festival.
“We should also remember that this is a period to emphasise obedience. The origin of Eld – Kabir can be traced to Prophet Ibrahim who made a promise to God. In the process of fulfilling the promise, he wanted to slaughter his son (Ismail) and God gave him a white ram. That was the historical beginning of Eld Kabir festival.
“So, I enjoin the Muslim Ummah to use this occasion to pray for Nigeria to overcome its current challenges of insecurity, hunger, poverty, unemployment, inflation among others. This is also a wake up call to political office holders to fulfill their campaign promises.
“Let me emphasize the need to live in peace and harmony and shun religious bigotry, hatred, religious intolerance, discrimination and fanaticism.”
