A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state, a Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DAKA Foundation, Dr kazeem Adesina Abidikugu has urged Muslim Ummah in the state and Nigeria at large to emulate the patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad, which propelled Islam to a very high level within the shortest period ever in history.
He stated this on Saturday while felicitating with Muslim Ummah as they join the rest of the Islamic World in marking the commencement of the new Islamic Year, 1444 AH.
Abidiguku, a Nigerian UK-based Consultant Psychiatrist said it was appropriate to use the occasion to thank the Almighty Allah for the privilege He mercifully granted Muslims to witness the New year.
He maintained that the occasion is a vivid reminder of what Hijrah represents in the lives of Muslims in which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had to emigrate from Makkah to Madinah after he exhausted his patience with the Makkah pagans who were persecuting him.
According to him, his endurance and steadfastness eventually paid off in Madinah where he succeeded in establishing an Islamic state with the first democratic constitution in the world based on truth and justice that formed the foundation for other subsequent constitutions in the world.
Abidikugu noted that without his endurance and patience only Allah knows what would have become of Islam today, saying the essence of that historic endeavour was to enable Muslims know that after every period of difficulty comes relief.
Urging Muslim faithful to uphold the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness and continue to pray for the peace, progress and development of Oyo state in particular and the country as a whole.
According to him, “The role of the Muslim Ummah in the celebration of Hijrah year is to emulate the patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which propelled Islam to a very high level within the shortest period ever in history.
“This is a privilege for us as individuals and as a Nation of the Faithful and deserves our gratitude to Allah. As we begin the New Year, I enjoin us all not to relent in living in accordance with the injunctions of our Faith and in our prayers for peace in our state and country as a whole.
“We should also continue to fervently seek the intervention of Allah in our affairs as we seek end to the challenges facing our country”.