The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) joins other Nigerians in expressing gratitude to Allah Who returned President Muhammadu Buhari safely to Nigeria after a long medical vacation. We are happy that Allah Who restored the President’s health has, by His grace, granted him a new opportunity to serve Him, the nation and humanity.
Therefore, we thank all Nigerians who stood by him and prayed for him while he was away. We specially appreciate the Vice President’s display of loyalty, courage and wisdom while he served as the Acting President.
The President’s address to the nation upon his resumption of official duty is reassuring. It gives hope of a better deal during the remaining period of his term. Besides, the message of unity and love among the people of Nigeria is all the more important at this time in the nation’s history.
We are particularly elated by his condemnation of hate speech, bigotry and the forces of division. As Muslims, we believe in the brotherhood of all mankind. We are all one people created by Allah. Diversity of the human race is to afford us the chance to complement and not despise one another. (Qur’an 49:13)
Furthermore, Allah says:
*_“Let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is these that are the wrongdoers.”_*
– Qur’an 49:11
Against this background, we wish to reiterate our earlier position that Muslims in the South West region of Nigeria stand with other well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians on the need for Nigeria to remain a united nation where citizens live together in peace and harmony.
We also wish to use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to continue to pray for the good health and success of the President. Despite our ethnic and religious differences, love, kindness, fellow feeling and empathy are values that should bind us together as humans. This is a virtue commanded by Allah and demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad (saw) who did not discriminate among the people of different races and religions who lived together in Madinah in his time.
May Allah grant the President and all our leaders the wisdom, courage, capacity and good health to take Nigeria to a greater height.
Long live united Nigeria!
Prof Dawud O. S. Noibi,
Executive Secretary/CEO
