By Austin Ogwuda
FORMER Minister of Education and governorship candidate under the platform of the Social Democratic Party SDP in the March 18th election in Delta State, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has urged Muslims in Delta State and beyond to learn the virtue of patience even in the face of provocation, and peacefully co-exist with people of other faiths, just like Prophet Muhammad lived in his time.
Gbagi charged them to live by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad on the occasion marking the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
In a goodwill message signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, Gbagi noted that beyond celebrating the day marking the birthday of the Holy Prophet, the period should be used for fervent prayers for the State and country.
According to him, “There are great lessons of devotion, perseverance, tolerance, humility and selflessness that we can all learn from the life of the Prophet.
“Muslims should live a life of patience and honoured treaties with non Muslims for peaceful coexistence and to practice the noble and shining virtues of the Prophet as the best way to honour him is to follow his good examples”.
He also called on religious leaders to use the period to pray for the State and country and to admonish their followers to take the appropriate lessons from Prophet Muhammad’s life in their commitment to the State and nation and to extend their hand of fellowship to the needy and vulnerable in the spirit of the season.
“On behalf of my family and the Social Democratic Party, I wish Muslim faithful in Delta State and across the globe a successful celebration on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Maulud”, the statement added.