Senator Kola Balogun has admonished Muslims to continue to be their brother’s keeper, even as the Ramadan Fasting has ended.
He gave the admonition in a message felicitating with Islamic adherents on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the end of the 30-day fasting.
Senator Balogun, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, urged Muslims to imbibe the lessons inherent in the month of Ramadan.
He said the greatest lessons associated with the 30-day fasting are obedience to God, self-denial, abstinence from sinful acts and reaching out to the less-privileged with love.
The vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development said Eid-el-Fitr is a day of thanksgiving and joy.
He added that, being a day that marked the end of the month of fasting, it is when Muslims should feel happy and give thanks to Allah for the enablement to obey His commands.
“We all fasted during the month of Ramadan, and by the end of the month, we realise that Allah’s commands are good for us because they aim at our well-being,” he stated.
The federal lawmaker said Eid-el-Fitr has some deep significances, noting that it’s spirit is marked by some fundamental values and virtues.
These, he said, include thanksgiving and expressing gratitude to Allah, experiencing joy and happiness, maintenance of kinship ties and taking care of the poor and the needy.
“Eid el-Fitr is a festival that signifies the completion of an act of duty and devotion. It teaches us that real happiness results from performing one’s duty and making sacrifices for a noble objective,” he added.
Senator Balogun however admonished that, while rejoicing and making merry in the spirit of Eid-el-Fitr, Muslim faithful should always remember to be their brother’s keeper.
“My wife, Mrs Gbonjubola Kola-Balogun and I join Muslim faithful all over the world to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.
“We should give thanks to almighty Allah for giving us the grace to witness and partake in another Ramadan Fasting.
“The 30 days of fasting afforded us the opportunity to clean ourselves up spiritually, physically and morally. The Ramadan gave us the opportunity to move more closer to the almighty Allah.
“As we are celebrating with joy the Eid-el-Fitr, we should reflect deeply and continue to imbibe the lessons of the Holy month of Ramadan.
“We should thank almighty Allah for guiding us to fasting in Ramadan, and for enabling us to be doing good deeds, and to be reciting the Quran.
“We should thank Him for providing us the financial strength to pay zakat and give out to the needy and charities during the Ramadan.
“Now that the 30-day fasting is over and we are celebrating Eid-el-Fitr, we should look beyond the celebration and continue to be our brother’s keeper.
“We should continue in our zakat and our acts of charity. We should continue to reach out to the poor and the needy. We should not be weary in being our brother’s keeper.
“It is on this note that my wife and I join other Muslim faithful across the world, particularly in Oyo South Senatorial District, to wish us all a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
“May the almighty Allah grant us good health and longevity of life to experience more years of great sense of spiritual fulfilment, joy, reaching out to the needy and more closeness to Him,” he added.
