By Bukola Hameed
Pure Heart Islamic Foundation of Nigeria, PHF, has joined world Muslims to celebrate this year’s Eid-ul-Fitri, and expressed grave concerns over the state of insecurity bedevilling Nigeria and other parts of the world.
In a release made available to News Live Nigeria by the foundation’s national General Secretary, Jamiu Bello, the foundation posited community policing as a veritable means to curtail the ravaging wave of insecurity in the country. It said though government is trying its best but that seems not good enough to curb banditry, kidnapping, wanton killings and armed robbery.
The foundation however berated, in strong terms, the heinous crime being committed by Israel in Palestine, adding that the international community must speak with one voice in not only condemning, but placing staunch sanctions on Israel for violating fundamental rights of Muslim and Christian Palestinians.
” The Pure Heart Islamic Foundation of Nigeria, PHF, heartily rejoices and extends its best wishes to the Muslim ummah as we celebrate the 1442 AH (2021) Eid-ul-Fitr. We not only abstained from food and drinks, worldly pleasures and frivolities, but also totally submerged ourselves into worship of Allah day and night.
” This year’s celebration is coming at a rather trying time for all Nigerians and Muslims around the world. Of greatest concern to us is the security situation of our country. We sincerely acknowledge the efforts of government at various levels aimed at curbing and eradicating armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, etc. If we may suggest, the government in conjunction with the national assembly should urgently make laws to enhance community policing. This will decentralise policing, and bring security close to the local communities.
” The scourge of fake news needs to be checked if we must develop and continue to remain as a nation. There appears to be axis of evil of the citizens, politicians and the media aimed at bringing the country down at all cost. The existing laws against social media internet falsehood and manipulation should be enhanced for maximum effectiveness.
” On the foreign scene, we stand with the international community in condemning the widespread Israeli state aggression against the Palestinians. A scuffle which started due to deliberate obstruction of muslim worshippers from the Al-Aqsa Mosque (situated in the occupied city of Jerusalem), has now degenerated into destructions and killings of innocent Palestinians, most of them women and children. We call on Israel to halt all expansion of settlements in the occupied territories, and lift the air and sea blockades of the Gaza Strips.”
Meanwhile, the foundation urged Muslim faithful to continue to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan namely; renewal of faith, sharing with neighbours, the poor and needy, seeking forgiveness from shortcomings, praying for the country and fellow citizens and hoping for the best from Allah.
