LAGOS – The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Bishop Alfred Martins, has enjoined all Muslims to rededicate themselves to charity during Ramadan and show love and care to their neighbours.
This is contained in a Ramadan message signed by the Director of Social Communications, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, on Saturday in Lagos.
In the message, he said the 30-day Ramadan fast should be a solemn period for the Muslims to reach out to the less privileged in the society.
Martins also called on Muslims to use the period to work together with people of other faith toward building a just and equitable society.
He said this was necessary especially during this crucial period in the nation’s history characterised by insecurity and unprecedented loss of innocent lives.
He also said that the period was an opportunity to reflect on the love of God for humanity, and the need for all to live in peace irrespective of creed or religious differences.
“At this period of Ramadan, which is a period of fasting and abstinence, we must all see ourselves as brothers and sisters, be you Muslim or Christian.
“The message of this season should be love and good neighbourliness.
“There has been so much loss of innocent lives in this country in recent times. I, therefore, call on my brothers and sisters to use this period to seek the face of God.
“This is to ensure that through the cooperation of everyone, there will be lasting peace and harmony in our country Nigeria’’, he said.
Martins also used the opportunity to appeal to members of the Boko Haram sect and their collaborators to respect the solemnity associated with the Ramadan season.
He advised them to put a halt to all forms of violence and terrorism, as doing otherwise would be tantamount to desecrating the season. (NAN)
