Nigerians, other nationals join Borno people in One-Day special fast, prayers for peace
From SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Following last week’s declaration by Govenror Babagama Umara Zulum of Borno State that February 24 be marked as a special day for divine prayers and fasting day, Muslim faithfuls from Madinatul Kailaha Senegal, Sudan Republic, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and other neighbouring countries joined Borno people in the special fast and prayers on Monday.
Similarly, Nigerians from all the states in the north-east, as well as some northern, Western and eastern states of the country, joined Borno people in the special prayers and fasting for lasting peace for God to bring to an end the 11-year old Boko Haram insurgency bedeviling the state and undermining meaningful development of both the state and federal governments.
In Miaiduguri, Sheikh Imam Algoni Sheikh Sheriff Sale Al Hussaini led the special prayers at the Sheikh Sheriff Sale Al Hussaini Central Mosque Gwange and Sheikh Aliyu Sheikh Ahmad Aliyu.Abulfuthihi along with his brother Sheikh Muhammadu Arabi Ahmad Aliyu Abulfutuhi, led also special prayers at the Madinatul Sheikh Ahmad Aliyu Abulfutuhi Central Mosque Old Maiduguri, where Muslim faithfuls converged in large numbers more than even during the Eid El sallah congregational prayer, to devote themselves seriously to the end of the calamity.
The Shehu of Borno, HRH,Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn Umar El Kanemi and the Chief Imam of Borno, Sheikh Imam led another special congregational prayers at the Maiduguri Central Mosque located at the Shehu’s palace where large crowd of Muslim faithfuls converged for the special prayers and offered series of divine prayers for the return of permanent peace to the state and country at large.
When our Correspondent went round the state capital, Muslims were seen in various mosques offering special prayers for God Almighty to intervene and bring to a halt all activities of Boko Haram insurgents and their leaders, including their sponsors, to a halt once and for all forever.
The special prayers and fasting was also observed to have affected social, educational, economic and other commercial activities as markets, shoos, schools, business places , hospitals and motor parks among others with eased low patronage and in some cases gates and doors were closed for business.
Malam Sani Babayo at Madunatu Sheikh Aliyu Abulfutuhi Central Mosque said “we converged willingly to contribute our quota for the return of peace to the state and even country at large.”
“Yes. We answered the governor call and we are hundred per cent with him and appreciate what h is doing,” Sani said.
Hajiya Falmata Shuwa Abba Gwange said “we are here to join our late counterparts in the special congregational prayers where all and sundry is here to play his part for peace to return to the state and development to prevail.”
“We as mothers are more affected than the men by the insurgency as we feel the pain more with our children missing or abducted or killed or slaughtered in our presence.
“In other cases, it is even our husbands and parents that were killed and brothers as well as sister’s abducted or killed. So, we have to be in the forefront for the special prayers declared by the governor,” Falmata said.
Alaramma Hassan Ibrahim, an Islamic Tutor as Dankilori Tsangaya Bulabila area of Maiduguri said, “even without the call or declaration by Governor Zulum, we have for long been in special prayers daily for peace to return to Maiduguri and other states well as Nigeria.”
“We do organize ourselves into smaller groups for recitation of the Holy Qoram, which we are known for here daily. Then we devote other groups for some selected special prayers called Wuridi, Lazimi and Zikiri.
“So, with this declaration, we feel delighted and humbly appreciate the concern and efforts if the governor. And surely, God is with the righteous and faithful . We also believe that the insurgency will soon be a thing if the past by God’s grace,” Ibrahim said.