MAY THIS EID-EL- FITR GIVE US PEACE!
Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua
Today is a day that the Lord has made. We rejoice and are glad to celebrate EID-EL- FITR with our dear Muslim brothers and sisters, afterthe long period of prayers and fasting during Ramadan. According to the Second Vatican Council, the Church regards with esteem the Muslims.
They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the Day of Judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Muslims, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind, social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom (Nostra Aetate 3).
Today, April 10, 2024, I join my voice to that of the Universal Church to wish the Muslims all over the world and the Muslims in Nigeria who promote the course of peace, justice and good governance through the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC) a grace filled celebration. We are with you in heart mind and soul, “In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful; praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the world; most gracious, most merciful; master of the day of judgement. You do we worship, and thine aid we seek. Show us the straightway, the way of those on whom you havebestowed your grace, those whose portion is not wrath and who go not astray” (Al Fǎtihah).
May your prayers and penance be acceptable to God who is the author of life and desires to sustain the life he has created by teaching all men and women the message of peace. May this holy celebration open the gate of peace to the whole world! May the gate of hell be firmly locked for all good people who worship the true God and surrender to him on the right path! Maythis celebration of mercy and compassion completely transform our hearts. May Almighty Allah grant success to our work for peace. May Allah bless and protect all men and women who are making efforts to rescue religion from being weaponized by mischief makers.
Almighty Allah, protect your religion. Your name Oh God is love, mercy, compassion, peace and all that is good. In you Oh God, there is no wrong nor can you be associated with the evil of killing innocent people. Prove to us this day that you do not enjoy violence and that no one is allowed to kill in your name. Teach us again that we are brothers and sisters from a common source and like a father; you do not enjoy the sight of your children killing one another in your name. Do not allow any one creates you in his image and likeness for many fights in their own name and claim that they are fighting in your name.
May this celebration change the heart of everybody from evil to good so that our world will once again enjoy love and peaceful coexistence! O God of peace and love, touch ourhearts to cry to you, God of mercy and compassion so that you may look with pity upon our nation, Nigeria. Put into our hearts and mouths the song of the prodigal son: “Yes I shall arise and return to my father.” Accept ourpenance and contrite heart like you did to David when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband Uriah, the Hittite.
In your compassion, blot out our offence. Wash us more and more from our guilt and cleanse us from our sin (Psalm 50:1)! It is still fresh in my mind how we used to look forward to Ramadan and Sallah when we were growing up. I cannot easily forget how we celebrate with Muslims during their festivals in the past. I pray that this culture of peaceful co-existence will be experienced in the whole world and in Nigeria. Oh God Almighty, continue to renew the face of the earth and grant us salvation. Beloved Muslim brothers and sisters, as we join you to celebrate today, I wish you love and peace!
Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua
Executive Secretary
Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC)
