The observance of Eid-el-Kabir on Wednesday turned into a carnival and a unification event for residents on the Lagos Island.
The Muslims’ yearly ritual of ram slaughtering was marked by many Islanders in fanfare amidst music entertainment, cooking, eating and popping of champagnes.
The event, which began with prayers in mosques with large overflow of worshippers occupying adjoining streets of worship centres, dovetailed into colourful canopies, where musicians took turns to entertain the people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which cascaded into a unification event for Nigerians of all faiths and ethnic groups, attracted Muslim and non-Muslim singers from other parts the country.
NAN reports that people feasted together in all the canopies that dotted the island, with discussions centering on current issues in the country.
At the Tinubu’s Square Prayer Ground, Muslim faithful showed love and unity to others by offering them foods and drinks to mark the day.
The scenario was the same at the nearby Nnamdi Azikiwe Street where two Muslim families served foods and other materials to residents.
At the Nadwat-NAdwat Global Assembly Worship Centre on Igbosere Road, members of the sect played down faith doctrines and served foods and drinks to all those who gathered under their tents.
A spokesperson of the group, Alhaja Soliu Aishat, said that the event was to promote the virtue of sacrifice exemplified by prophet Ibrahim.
At Obalende and Falomo, there were celebrations on the streets, as well as the slaughtering of cattle, with music renting the air.
Mr Emeka Ikokwu, a guest at one of the celebrations, said he came with his family to felicitate his colleague, Mr Fola Lawal.
Speaking on the event, the Chief Missioner, Jejewiyyat Muslim Association of Nigeria (JMAN), Prof. Adewale Paramole, said that it was meant to provide Nigerians an avenue for reconciliation in the aftermath of the last tumultuous general polls.
The cleric, who spoke to NAN against the backdrop of the calls for national cohesion, said that Islam was a human- oriented religion.
He stressed the need for the government to alleviate peoples’ sufferings through the provision of palliatives in the aftermath of the withdrawal of petrol subsidy.
NAN reports that the Federal Government declared Wednesday and Thursday as public holidays to enable Muslim faithful to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
The annual event commemorates the faith and trust Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) had on God when the latter asked him to use his only son, Isaac, for sacrifice. (NAN)
