By Moyosore Salami
The Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, yesterday, charged the Islamic faithfuls not to go back to all the forsaken habits during the 30- day Ramadan fast.
Oba Balogun gave this charge in his congratulatory message to the Muslims on the completion of the Islamic injunction in a statement through his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola which was made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.
In the message, the monarch said the gains and blessings of Ramadan Fast are not limited to the observance period alone, but extend to the period after the injunction and to access the blessings, Muslims are expected to keep to the tenets of the Holy Quran as regards the Ramadan Fast.
He said, “While congratulating my brothers and sisters in Islam for the successful completion of the Ramadan Fast, I admonish us to ensure our keeping faith with the demands of the Holy month. If it was possible for us to keep away from certain habits considered unbecoming of devout Muslims for a whole 30 days, it should not be difficult for us to forsake such things for the rest of our lives.
“We should continue with all our good deeds of Ramadan Fast period and make them our ways of life. That’s the purpose and that’s the teaching of Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Unto Him). We are not people of genuine faith if our concern and love for our neighbours only last the Ramadan Fast period.”
Asking for moderate celebration of the event, the Monarch enjoined all to be cautious and let everything to be done be within the ambit of civility and consideration for others, noting that “our Almighty Allah wants us to be humble in every situation and show kindness to others. Let not our self denial of 30 days be of no spiritual value by our conducts during the celebration.”
Oba Balogun used the occasion to pray for the country’s leadership at all levels, the people of Nigeria in general and his Ibadan subjects that it would please the Almighty Allah to grant all the grace to witness and participate in many more of the celebration in sound and robust health.
“Ramadan Kareem to all,” he said.