ABUJA:The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has felicitated with Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike on the occasion of the Mawlud Nabiyy (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad) which coincided with Friday December 1, 2017.
This was contained in a Mawlud Nabiyy message by Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, National President of MMPN wherein he canvassed for tolerance, patience and moderation at all levels.
Balogun said in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad of moderation, patience and tolerance, Muslims and non-Muslims alike are implored to emulate these attributes of the Prophet of Allah as a mark of honour to him.
We note with serious concern the drift towards anarchy in the polity and increase in domestic violence within families in Nigeria.
Ahead of 2018, preparatory to 2019 general elections, we noticed tension building up in various camps of political divides occasioned by forthcoming conventions and primaries of various political parties.
Various reports of stockpiling of arms, deprival of opposition of use of facilities like rally ground after proper booking, the creation of bottle-necks in the way of opposition programmes and clashing of convoys on major roads, among others, are danger signals capable of truncating the democratic process.
MMPN charged all parties concerned to exhibit political tolerance and eschew violence and vindictiveness.
Balogun said “Politics is all about living and letting live. It should be about good governance and provision of dividends of democracy for the people”.
“That was how Prophet Muhammad lived his life in Madinah as a leader and head of state to the people. He lived side by side with unbelievers and tolerated them to the extent that he was turned back from his city in Makkah”.
“In the same vein, we noticed the disturbing increase in domestic violence of husbands killing wives and vice versa, children killing parents and vice versa, as well as friends killing friends. These ugly incidences, most times are attributable to lack of patience and tolerance”.
MMPN hereby urged all to eschew violence, tolerate one another and exercise extreme patience in all matters in line with the dictates of Prophet Muhammad who preached “patience, patience and patience’’ on all issues.
The media group implored Muslim groups to celebrate with moderation as this is not one of the festivities in Islam but to take time and reflect on which aspect of the Prophet Muhammad life they have imbibed.
“May the Peace and Blessings of Almighty Allah be with Prophet Muhammad, his households and all those who follows his tenets till the day of reckoning. Amin.” Balogun prayed
