BY RASHEED ABUBAKAR
“Sallah Thinz”, “Aran-Orin Loading”, “I Can’t Keep Calm, It’s Eid!”, “Auchi, Here I Come!”, “Sallah Mood Activated, Live in the Holy City of Harmony” and the likes are some of the captivating messages that appeared on the Whatsapp status of some of my contacts as they journeyed to their respective towns and villages to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Adha, which is being celebrated today across the globe.
I rejoice with all Muslims in Nigeria and around the world on the occasion of this Eid-el-Adha. May Allah in His infinite mercy, in the spirit of this Eid, unite the already disunited Muslim world and save our dear country, Nigeria from disintegration. More importantly, my prayer goes to the oppressed Muslims of Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Rohingya and all other places where Muslims are being severely persecuted. Don’t lose hope, dear brethren. Allah’s victory is near. I also commiserate with all victims of floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters all over the globe. May Allah alleviate your pains and restore your losses (Amin).
Evidently, Eid-el-Adha is a big deal for many Nigerian Muslims. Unlike the Eid-el-Fitr, which is usually marked low-key to thank Allah for the completion of the Ramadan fast, Eid-el-Adha is the festival of the sacrifice of animals (camels, rams, cows or goats) slaughtered in accordance with the dictates of Allah. As discussed last Friday in this column, the slaughtering of animals for Eid is a lesson of trust, obedience and piety for Muslims as shown by Prophet Ibrahim, the Father of Faith.
Little wonder the Yoruba Muslims refer to Eid-el-Adha as “Odun Nla”, meaning “The Great Festival”. As you read this, thousands of Nigerian Muslims are already celebrating in their respective native towns, villages and homesteads. The Eid affords them the opportunity to interact, jubilate and share joyful and memorable experiences with family, friends and townspeople once in a year.
The most significant activities expected from Muslim faithfuls today (Friday) are: to garb themselves in their finest clothes, observe the Eid prayer, listen to the Khutbah (sermon) and slaughter their sacrificial animals. It is also expected for the Muslim celebrants to continually glorify Allah by saying a lot of Takbeerat (Allah is the Most Great), send out congratulatory messages to their friends and loved ones and say “Barka Da Sallah”, “Eid-Mubaarak”, “Taqabbala Llahu minna wa minkum” and other permissible expressions of congratulations.
Major Festivals During Eid
Apart from the popular Ojude-Oba in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State which holds on Sunday, the 3rd day of Eid this year, the sons and daughters of Aran-Orin, Irepodun Local Government in Kwara State will converge at the village open field tomorrow (Saturday) for the annual get-together tagged “Baba Ewe”, where the elders relate important historical milestones of the town and share jovial moments with the young ones. The entertaining and educative event will also feature games, Qur’an and quiz competitions, among others.
Similarly, on the fifth day after Eid (Tuesday), the people of Ikirun in the State of Osun will extend their celebrations with the Molepe event (meaning – Muslims Get-Together), just as colourful Durbar celebrations will dot the entire Northern Nigerian landscape with series of entertaining activities, including the horseback parade of the Emir and his entourage.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari will also lead his Council of Chiefs and the good people of the Ilorin Emirate to the Kwara State Government House on Sunday, the 3rd day of Eid, for the annual traditional homage to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji AbdulFatai Ahmed, famously known as Hawa’n Barike. It is a most anticipated and colourful event which re-unites all Ilorin indigenes home and abroad every year.
For many residents and indigenes of Lagos State, notable fun spots will be made available for faithful Muslims to celebrate. Muslim families can also use the occasion of the Eid celebration to visit beautiful tourist attractions in the Centre of Excellence such as the first storey building in Nigeria located in Badagry, the National Museum, the National Arts Theatre, the Lekki Conservation Centre and the Bar Beach, where Muslims can settle down to nice picnics with their families.
– Rasheed Abubakar is a journalist and the author of “Hijab and the Nigerian”. Email: rawshield123@gmail.com