The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, in his Ramadan message signed by the National Secretary of Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, appealed to Muslim faithful to take advantage of the sacred month to move closer to Allah and pray for the nation.

According to him, "The holy month of Ramadan is so significant that all the supplications forwarded to Allah in good faith will be accepted without any hindrance or barrier. It is a period of sober reflection for the entire Muslim Ummah who belief in the Last Day.

"As Nigeria continues to face numerous challenges ranging from socio-economic, political and insecurity among others, it becomes pertinent to utilise the glorious and blessings attached to this month, to engage in selfless spiritual services for peace and tranquillity to return to the country."

The monarch added that, "There is no gain saying that the ongoing insurgency which has ravaged the peaceful terrain of North-East as well as the Militants' attack on the oil pipeline in the South-South are not only unwarranted but also extremely undesirable at a period when Nigerians are looking inward for positive change.

"But, be that as it may, we can still move closer to Allah at this auspicious occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan, asking Allah to deliver us from all sorts of evils and their accomplices."

While enumerating the importance of the Ramadan fasting, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari noted that the five pillars of Islam will not be complete without adequately observing the fasting in line with the guidelines as stipulated in the Holy Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad even as he appealed to perpetrators of the dastard acts to sheathe their swords and use the Holy month of Ramadan to repent their attitudes.

"Also, let us remember that the sacred month preaches mercy, tolerance and perseverance. It is therefore expected that the rich will share with the downtrodden in order to have full reward from Allah", the emir added.

He therefore felicitated with Muslim faithful on the commencement of the 2016 Ramadan fasting urging them to shy away from all acts capable of depriving them of the blessings and rewards accrued to it.