By Zubairu Idris
Katsina – The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims faithful to intensify efforts toward adhering to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an for prosperity and peaceful co-existence in the country.
The Sultan made the call on Friday in Katsina at the opening ceremony of the 32nd National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, organised by the Centre for Islamic Studies, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir, said the call became necessary because that would be part of the solutions to the problems bedeviling the country.
He said that the aim of the competition was to transform the participants and the spectators to the teachings of the Quran.
The Sultan further said that would assist to prevent the people from indulging in social vices and become useful members of the society.
Abubakar urged Nigerians to change their bad attitudes for the country to have Allah’s mercy, blessings and intervention.
“We should put it in our minds that whatever we do, we will be asked to account for it in the last Day of Judgment.
“Whatever you see in your grave it is you who brought it, we must be obedient to our creator by adhering to His commandments,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, the governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, commended Katsina State Government for putting all necessary facilities to host the competition.
Yari, represented by his deputy, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, commended the people of the state for their hospitality.
He said that the competition would assist to further strengthen unity among the Muslims faithful.
The governor also requested for hosting the 33rd edition of the competition in 2019 in Zamfara State.
It was reported that 32 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are participating in the competition.
No fewer than 330 participants were expected to feature at the Qur’anic competition which would end on March 3.
The competitors would compete in six categories for both males and females after which winners would represent the country in the international Quranic Recitation Competitions. (NAN)
