Former
Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has said that attitude of citizens towards one
another and not diversity in religion is responsible for Nigeria’s problems.
He warned
that ‘Intolerance, extremism and bigotry, if unchecked, could threaten peace
and unity in any country.
Abubakar
stated this in a message to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration issued by his
media office on Monday in Abuja, advising that religion should be used as a
means to advance love among the people.
He urged
Muslims across the country to promote and spread love among fellow Nigerians in
order to consolidate the nation’s unity.
His
statement read: “The common interests that unite Nigerians are by far stronger
than those petty factors that divide us, diversity could be used to advantage.
“Intolerance,
extremism and bigotry, if unchecked, could threaten peace and unity in any
country while peace and unity are the greatest assets that should not be taken
for granted by Nigerians.
“Iinterfaith
dialogue will not go far enough if bigotry was allowed to defeat human reason
and wisdom.
“All
religions preach love of mankind, therefore Muslims should promote the beauty
of their faith through positive personal conduct.
“Societies
founded on hate and bigotry were always exposed to conflicts, these negative
emotions should only be defeated by the power of love.”
While
wishing Muslims successful Sallah celebration, Abubakar advised the faithful to
remain vigilant against the influence of violent extremism which had been used
by misguided elements to portray Islam in bad light.
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