Aregbesola Greets Muslims At Eid-Maulud; Asks For Prayers Over Economy

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Wednesday asked Muslims all over the world to use the occasion of this year’s celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad to pray for divine intervention over the country’s economic challenges.

Though the Governor recognized the global nature of the economic meltdown, he said Muslims have a great role to play in offering prayers for God’s direction and interventions.

Asking Muslims to remember the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and apply the teachings to their personal lives, Aregbesola said in doing that, humanity would regain the lost essence of living and there would be a return to the path of God.

The Governor, in a message to Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Eid Maulud celebrations, signed by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, said though the country is currently facing challenges arising from dwindling fortunes of her only main source of revenue, the country only requires a new direction backed by prayers.

“While celebrating with our Muslim folks all over the world, we must remember as Muslims that we have a duty to use the occasion to offer prayers for divine intervention in the affairs of our nation.

“This is a most challenging time for us as a country. A time of serious economic hardship calls for God’s intervention.

“But a good condition for that God’s intervention is that we must return to the path laid down by God. Prophet Muhammad left behind a legacy of service and a worthy path to follow. If we all return to that path as Muslims, our examples might encourage even non-Muslims to follow the path of truth, honour and service and therefore lead our nation out of this challenging time.”

Aregbesola urged leaders to lead by example just as he reminded the followers to remember their duties to their leaders.

He concluded, “Islam has set a perfect template for the relationship between the leaders and the people they lead. While leaders must demonstrate the highest form of humility and service to their people, the followers must also reciprocate by performing their various civic responsibilities. It is only under such atmosphere that a peaceful nation can emerge.”