By Rita Esegine
The Nigeria Labour Congress has commemorated with the Muslim community in Nigeria on the celebration of Eid-el-ftr.
Eid-el-fitr also called “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan its a very significant celebration for the Muslims.
In a statement to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-fitr, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President said that: “Eid-el-fitr is a very significant event in the life of every Muslim chiefly because of the virtues it exemplifies”.
The statement in full said; “We congratulate all Muslim workers and indeed the Nigerian Muslim community for successfully concluding the observance of the holy month of Ramadan.
“The restrictions and inconveniences imposed by the novel corona virus has made the observation of this year’s Ramadan far more tasking and indeed more spiritually rewarding for all Muslims.
“Your perseverance through the fasting period is a shining embodiment of the spirit of Eid
“Eid-el-fitr teaches denial, dedication, discipline, diligence, love and sharing”.
“Eid-el-fitr is also a time of stock taking as Muslims use the period of the Ramadan fasting to take an objective assessment of their areas of strength and weakness. The strengths are consolidated while the weaknesses are strengthened.”
Comrade Wabba also said, “This year’s Eid-el-fitr also echoes the message of hope which inspires all of us that though the night of COVID-19 might be long but the rays of the dawn of Allah’s benevolent mercies would soon arrive to compensate for all the current troubles.
“We can only keep faith alive. We urge every Nigerian Muslim and all citizens to fully imbibe the virtues of Eid-el-fitri.
“Nigerian workers have demonstrated a strong affinity to the values of Eid-el-fitri by soldiering on in self-denial, dedication, and diligence as frontline workers against Covid-19 pandemic.
“Government at all levels and employers can make workers’ load lighter by ensuring the security of jobs, income and livelihood.
“The Ramadan Holiday is not the time to arbitrarily cut down the salaries of workers or deny workers’ their means of livelihood.
“It is also important to stress that we must all rise to the existential challenges thrown up by the corona virus pandemic. We must take personal responsibilities for our own health especially through abiding by extant public health regulations.
“Finally, the leadership of Congress appreciates all Muslims for praying for Nigeria during this year’s Ramadan especially in the face of the deadly novel corona virus disease.
“As we navigate our way through the Covid-19 cauldron, we urge all Nigerians to intensify prayers for national peace and safety.
“We all must also renew our commitment to contributing our quota to ensure a stable, inclusive and resilient Nigerian society. It is our prayer that by next year’s Eid, the troubles of the current Covid-19 would have paled into history, in sha Allah (SWT).
“Once again, we extend our best wishes for a most rewarding Eid-el-fitr. May Allah’s blessings be multiplied on us and may our supplications and other prayers during this holy month of Ramadan bring an end to the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria and all over the world”.
