EID-EL-FITRI: A CALL FOR NATIONAL RENEWAL AND UNITY IN FAITH

As the blessed month of Ramadan gracefully comes to an end, our hearts are filled with gratitude to Almighty Allah (SWT) for granting us the life, strength, and faith to witness its completion and celebrate the glorious day of Eid-el-Fitri.

Eid-el-Fitr is a spiritual convocation that marks the end of Ramadan. It is the day we reap the harvest of our patience, our charity, and our devotion. For thirty days, we engaged in an exercise of self-discipline and God-consciousness (Taqwa). We denied the flesh to nourish the soul. We felt the pang of hunger so that we might never forget the plight of the needy.

As we exchange greetings and embrace our loved ones, my earnest prayer is that Almighty Allah accepts our fasts, our night prayers, and our good deeds. May He envelop us in His infinite mercy and grant us the blessing of witnessing many more Ramadans in good health and faith. Ameen.

My dear brothers and sisters, as we remove the white garment of Ihram and step back into our daily lives, we must ask ourselves a critical question: What next?

The holy Qur’an did not prescribe fasting merely to make us hungry; it prescribed it to make us righteous. The true test of our Ramadan is not how well we fasted, but how well we retain its spirit. The month that taught us to be truthful must lead us to rebuild. The month that taught us to be patient must empower us to confront our national challenges without losing hope or resorting to despair.

In this spirit of shared devotion, we also recognize and honour our Christian brothers and sisters who are currently observing the holy season of Lent. Just as Ramadan is a period of fasting, prayer, and reflection for us, Lent is a sacred time for them, as it is also a journey of soul-searching, abstinence, and spiritual preparation for the glory of Easter. This beautiful confluence of our sacred seasons on the calendar is not a coincidence; it is a divine reminder of our shared values. It underscores our common call to sacrifice, our mutual quest for spiritual renewal, and our collective duty to show compassion to the vulnerable. As we rejoice in our Eid, let us also keep them in our prayers, that their Lenten journey may be fulfilling and that they may share in the joy of a blessed Easter.

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. We face tests of unity, security, and economic stability. However, I am convinced that the same doggedness that carried us through 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting is the same spirit that will carry our nation through its trials. The discipline we exhibited is that required to build the Nigeria of our dreams. If Muslims and Christians can embrace the lessons of their different faiths with equal sincerity, we can together build an unshakable foundation for our nation.

To my colleagues in public office, let the empathy of Ramadan, and the solemn reflection of Lent, guide your decisions. Let us remember that leadership is not about privilege, but about service to the millions of Nigerians who look to us for hope, regardless of their faith.

To the youth, who are the torchbearers of our future, remain steadfast, law-abiding, and determined. Your energy, channeled positively, is the catalyst for the transformation we seek.

To all citizens, let us continue to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and our leaders. Let us reject the voices of division and hatred, and instead amplify the bonds of neighborliness and love for our fellow man.

May the joy of Eid fill your hearts.

May the peace of Allah guard your homes.

May the spirit of Ramadan, and the solemnity of Lent, renew our nation and strengthen our unity.

Eid Mubarak.

Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, GCON
14th President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Yobe North Senatorial District

Thursday, March 19, 2026.