Ramadan: Jonathan urges Muslims to pray for peace

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday urged all Nigerian Muslims to use the period of this year’s Ramadan to offer special prayers for peace and security in the country. He reassured the entire nation that the Federal Government, under his leadership, would continue to work tirelessly to curb insurgency, terrorism and other criminal acts which had caused insecurity in parts of the country. Jonathan spoke in his Ramadan message to Muslims in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati. The President urged Nigerians not to succumb to despair, but to remain steadfast in the conviction that with courage, determination, focus, decisiveness and collective support for the security agencies, the country would overcome sectionalism, sectarianism and international terrorism seeking to disunite the nation. The statement read, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan salutes all Muslims in Nigeria as they begin this year’s Ramadan fast. “As they join fellow adherents of the faith in other parts of the world in undergoing the strictures and spiritual purification of the annual Ramadan fast against the background of security challenges in the country, President Jonathan urges all Nigerian Muslims to offer special prayers during the period for greater peace and security in the nation. “The President seizes the opportunity of the commencement of the Ramadan fast to reassure the entire nation that the Federal Government continues to work tirelessly to curb insurgency, terrorism and other criminal acts which have caused insecurity in parts of the country. “He urges Nigerians not to succumb to despair, but to remain steadfast in the firm conviction that with courage, determination, focus, decisiveness and collective support for the Armed Forces and security agencies, the country will ultimately overcome the evil agents of sectionalism, sectarianism and international terrorism who seek to disunite the nation.”