Nigerian Muslims Pray For Peace

No fewer than two million Muslims converged in Dutse in Jigawa states in the northwest of Nigeria to participate in a special prayer session for peace, unity and prosperity amidst a state of insecurity in the country’s northeast where a military counteroffensive against Boko Haram militants has entered its third week.The prayer session, held on Sunday, was part of the five-day activity organized for the 27th Maulaud celebration to commemorate the birth of Sheik Ibrahim Niasse, a Senegalese leader of the Tijjaniya Islamic movement.

Muslims faithful from within and outside the country attended the prayer session held at the Dutse Triangle Square.

Malam Ahmad Inyass, who led the congregation, prayed for peaceful co-existence among the people for sustainable social and economic development.

“We pray to Allah to give us peace, enrich our wealth in agriculture and the general economy of the country”.

Inyass admonished Muslims to be upright, honest and dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

He also counselled Muslims to be guided by the teachings of the Quar’an and traditions of Prophet Muhammad and commended the state government for its support to the group.

Participants in the prayer session included the Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.

The prayers were held against the backdrop of security concerns in the northeast of the country where a counteroffensive operation by the Nigerian military was launched last month to oust Islamist militants of the Boko Haram sect.

The group has been held responsible for a spate of bombings in the north of Nigeria which prompted President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the northeastern states of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno.

Boko Haram had declared war on Western education and lifestyle and vowed to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state.