- Extends Eid-el-Maulud Goodwill to Muslims
The Governing Board of the Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria) has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, as he marks the 70th anniversary of his birth.
The Guild has also extended warm Eid-el-Maulud goodwill to Muslims across Nigeria and the world, urging them to use the occasion to reflect on and uphold the timeless virtues of peace, compassion, justice, tolerance and love for humanity exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.
In a statement issued by Pastor (Barr) Samuel Egburonu, Secretary of the Governing Board of GIMP-Nigeria, the Sultan was described as an exceptional traditional ruler, statesman and bridge-builder whose painstaking commitment to interfaith dialogue has made him one of Nigeria’s most respected voices for peaceful coexistence.
Egburonu said the coincidence of the Sultan’s 70th birthday anniversary with the season of Eid-el-Maulud provides a special opportunity to celebrate a leader who has consistently promoted the values of dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful engagement among people of different religious traditions.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has distinguished himself not merely as the custodian of a great traditional institution and leader of the Nigerian Muslim community, but also as one of Nigeria’s foremost advocates of interfaith harmony and national unity,” he said.
According to him, at a time when religious and ethnic differences are sometimes manipulated to generate suspicion and division, the Sultan has remained steadfast in advancing constructive dialogue between Muslims and Christians.
“Through his words, interventions and engagements, His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that religion should be a force for reconciliation rather than conflict, and an instrument for building bridges rather than walls between communities,” Egburonu added.
The GIMP-Nigeria Governing Board Secretary particularly commended the Sultan for his openness and sustained engagement with Christian leaders and other faith communities, noting that his leadership has contributed significantly to strengthening the culture of interfaith diplomacy in Nigeria.
He said the Sultan’s example demonstrates that genuine interfaith engagement requires patience, sincerity, courage and the willingness to listen to others with respect, even where differences exist.
Extending Eid-el-Maulud greetings to Nigerian Muslims, Egburonu urged the faithful to draw inspiration from the noble teachings and exemplary life of Prophet Muhammad, particularly his message of mercy, justice, peaceful coexistence and concern for the wellbeing of humanity.
“As Muslims commemorate the birth and exemplary life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, GIMP-Nigeria calls on all Nigerians to embrace the values that unite us and reject every form of religious hatred, intolerance and violence,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a collective strength and urged religious leaders, traditional institutions, the media and political leaders to work together in building a more peaceful and united nation.
GIMP-Nigeria prayed for Almighty God’s continued blessings, good health, wisdom and strength upon the Sultan as he enters his seventh decade.
The Guild also wished Muslims across Nigeria a peaceful and spiritually rewarding Eid-el-Maulud celebration.
“Happy 70th Birthday, Your Eminence, and Eid-el-Maulud Mubarak to the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.”
