Christians and Muslims in the country have been advised to see the twin celebrations of Christmas and Eid El Maulud as an opportunity to close ranks, promote religious tolerance and harmony and work together for a better Nigeria in 2016 and beyond.
Next Generation network, Globacom gave this advice in a message to Nigerians on the occasion of the celebration of Christmas and Eid El Maulud.
While the Muslims feast of Eid El Maulud is celebrated on December 24, 2015, Christians will celebrate Christmas on December 25.
Both festivities signify the birth of the founders of their respective religions. In a goodwill message issued from its headquarters in Lagos, Globacom stated that the coincidence of the celebration of the two momentous events which incidentally too, commemorate the birth of the leaders of the two major religions, Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed is very significant and instructive.
“That the two birthdays are celebrated about the same time in line with the existing Christian and Muslim calendars, immediately instructs the adherents of both faith to take advantage of the pleasant coincidence to forge closer relationships as citizens of the same country,” the statement said.
The company urged the Christian faithful in the country to use the season of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ to spread the joy of the season and pray for the progress of Nigeria. All over the world, Christmas is a period to celebrate peace, love and care. Christians cherish it so much as it is celebrated to mark the day God gave the greatest gift, His only Son Jesus Christ, to mankind.
Similarly, the message called on Muslim faithful to remember that the birth of Prophet Mohammed was heralded with peace and goodwill to all men. It therefore called on Muslims to take advantage of the season to promote the same peace, love, and goodwill in their individual homes, communities and the country at large.
The telecoms operator also urged all Nigerians to use the occasion of the holidays to make peace and reconcile all differences. “On all fronts, we need to encourage cordiality and peaceful co-existence; between friends, families, political opponents, tribes, ethnic groups and religions so that we can promote an egalitarian society,” Globacom said in the statement.