An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdurrahim Mohammed, says Nigerians are living in “extreme poverty and insecurity,” calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to step up action to defeat bandits and terrorists.

He also urged Muslims to continue with all their good deeds even after Ramadan as fasting does not end with the holy month.

He urged Mr Buhari’s regime to take more urgent steps to fix the various social challenges facing the country, while calling on Muslims not to relent in praying for the country.

“Nigeria is in an extreme state of poverty and insecurity,” he stressed. “The government needs to do more towards addressing these challenges and we must intensify efforts in praying for Allah to bring lasting solutions to these challenges.”  

Mr Abdurrahim, chief imam of Kubwa, made the call in his Eidul Fitri sermon on Sunday.

He explained that Ramadan had taught Muslim faithful to do good and abstain from vices, adding that it should continue even after Ramadan.

“It is no doubt that Ramadan is the month of guidance which taught us truth, trust, patience, piety, goodness, mercy and good relationships. We also learnt to abstain from evil traits like lying, backbiting, betrayal, gossip, dispute, insult and bearing false witness,” he noted.

The Kubwa imam added, “The end of Ramadan does not signify the end of time for good acts, and fasting does not end with completion of Ramadan. Fasting as an act of worship is continuous. Whoever fasts in Ramadan and follows it up with fasting for six days of Shawwal, it is like fasting for the whole year.”

(NAN)