Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday urged Muslims to tolerate people of other religions. Aregbesola, in a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said what the nation needs at this critical moment is peace, security and cooperation among the diverse people of the country.
The governor called on Muslims to uphold the sacredness of human life, saying God did not command or appoint anyone as judge to take the life of another in the guise of protecting any faith. He said: "Political leaders and followers, religious leaders and their adherents must come together and forge a harmonious relationship for the love of their country.
According to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the love of one's country is part of faith." The governor also urged Muslims faithful to emulate Prophet Ibrahim and his son (Ismael), whose unshaken belief in, perseverance and fulfillment of their promise to their creator earned them salvation, everlasting and divine compensation, as well as glory till today.
He, however, asked residents of the state to embrace peaceful co-existence. The interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mr. Adelowo Adebiyi, urged Muslims to pray for the continuous successes of Aregbesola's administration.
Adebiyi, in a sallah message issued by the party's interim Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said Aregbesola's administration deserves special prayer on a special day like Sallah day for God's abundant blessings.
