President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Muslims on the celebration of the Eid Al-fitr celebration.
President Buhari also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the spiritual and economic lives of Nigerians.
The President’s message was contained in a statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu.
Part of the statement reads: For the first time in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the people’s spiritual, social and economic lives,” he said.
“This year’s fasting period was particularly challenging for Muslims because they had to forgo many important aspects of their daily worship, including the routine congregations for prayer and the recitation and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an as well as traveling for the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah.
“It is not easy to give up many of these important duties and activities, but it became imperative to do so in order to control or limit the spread of this deadly disease.”
Buhari also lauded Nigerians for adapting to the current state of social life necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the sacrifices of both Muslims and Christians for their cooperation in the enforcement of the social distancing guidelines,” he said.
“I am well aware of the inconveniences these tough measures have brought on the lives of Nigerians, including limiting religious activities and gatherings in large numbers.
“No government would intentionally impose these tough and demanding measures on its citizens if it had a choice.”
