Press Releases

Let Us Expand The Boundaries Of Tolerance - Fashola

Dec 6, 2008 - As Muslims in Nigeria and Lagos State join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has enjoined Muslims in the country to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, sacrifice and mutual love in order that the nation may achieve the security, peace and healthy environment needed for development.

In his Y2008 Eid-el-Kabir Message to the people of Lagos State, Governor Fashola also called on Nigerian Muslims to renew their commitment to the tenets of Islam so that they could maintain the high ethical standards of honesty, industry, faithfulness, discipline, contentment and sacrifice to enable them contribute meaningfully to the peace, prosperity and progress of the nation.

The Governor stressed that the values of tolerance, sacrifice and love for Allah and fellow human beings were more relevant and necessary than ever before in the nation and the world today, pointing out that everyone has a stake in a peaceful and prosperous world where they could raise families, earn their livelihoods, worship their creator in diverse ways and realize the purpose for their existence.

“The diversity of faiths, cultures, tongues and traditions that exist in our world, as typified by the multi-national and multi-cultural character of the multitude of pilgrims that converged in the holy land, is a testimony of the limitless greatness of the Almighty who is the source of all existence”, the Governor said, adding that the greatest challenge facing the world today was “to expand the boundaries of tolerance in our time so that humanity can fulfill its potential to create a secure, safe and healthy world that enhances rather than desecrates life”.

Governor Fashola urged Lagosians, “Let us be determined more than ever before that, as a global Mega City, Lagos State will remain a model of harmonious co-existence where a thousand flowers of faith and tongues and cultures are free to thrive and bloom in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance”.

Congratulating all Muslims in Lagos State and Nigeria “on this joyous occasion that we acknowledge our indebtedness to our creator and renew our dedication to His service”, the Governor declared, “We have every cause to thank Almighty Allah for sparing our lives to celebrate another Eid-el-Kabir, the sacred season that symbolizes sacrifice, tolerance and love for Muslims all over the world”.