African leaders greets Christians, Muslims as Lent, Ramadan coincides

African leaders have greeted the Christian and Muslim faithful on the solemn occasions of Lent and Ramadan.

The Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his message said as this year, Lent and Ramadan begin on the same day which is not a common occurrence, but reminds Nigerians that as a people of faith, a lot are shared in common and are one people under God.

According to him, “For Christians, the Lenten season is a time for fasting, abstinence, and penitence, following Jesus Christ’s example in the wilderness before His crucifixion, which brought salvation to mankind.

“For Muslims, Ramadan is a hallowed season that reflects total submission to God Almighty and His command of sacrifice, devotion, service, and communal love and giving.

“It marks one of the five pillars of Islam. Beyond the obligatory fasting, Ramadan calls for deep spiritual reflection in obedience to Islam’s injunctions”.

He called on Nigerians as a nation and as a people that embarked on these important observances, to ensure good neighbourliness, promote peace, unity, and stability, and pray for the progress and security of the nation.
“Let us live by the good precepts of our faiths and be honourable in our duty to God and fellow humans. I pray that the lessons, blessings, and joys of these sacred seasons abide with us always”, Nigerians President concluded.

Also, the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his best wishes to the Christian and Muslim communities who starting observing the sacred periods of Lent and Ramadan respectively.

In a his message on this period, the President said South Africa has a rich interfaith tradition forged in struggle and solidarity, and Constitution that protects freedom of religion without qualification. 
According to him, “Every faith has a room here, and no South African will be marginalised or persecuted for their beliefs.

*The claims of any who would seek to paint a different picture do not withstand scrutiny when measured against the record of our constitutional democracy,” President Ramaphosa said.

“At this time of great spiritual significance for our Christian and Muslim brethren I call on all South Africans to rally in solidarity, and hold fast to the unity that defines us as a people,” he added.

As Lent and Ramadan coinciding, the President described this period as a rare occurrence, adding that at the same time is a powerful reminder of the deep commonality of faith traditions.
He said, “Though they are observed in different ways, both Lent and Ramadan call on those who observe towards introspection, discipline, humility, generosity and care for society’s most vulnerable – these are values sorely needed in today’s fractured world,” the President said.

According to him, “During Lent various Christian denominations observe a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, abstinence and almsgiving to commemorate Christ’s fasting in the wilderness. 

“During Ramadan Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset; perform special prayers and feed the needy.

Ramaphosa disclosed that the 2022 Census reflects that the majority of South Africans identify as Christian, with many other faith traditions represented across the land.