The Saki Muslim community on Sunday celebrated its annual General Maolud Nabiyy with a call for peace, unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
The event, held at the Ansar-Ud-Deen High School playing ground, Sanngo, Saki, Oyo State, attracted Muslim faithful, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders.
The annual religious programme was organised by the Committee of Hijrah and Maolud Nabiyy in conjunction with the Leagues of Imams and Alfas and Muslim Council of Elders, Saki West Local Government.
The celebration, which commemorated the birth and exemplary life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), featured Quranic recitation, Adhikir by Tijaniyyah and Quadriyyah groups, Maolud Nabiyy, goodwill messages, lectures, donations and special prayers.
Speakers at the gathering urged Muslims to draw lessons from the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, particularly his virtues of peace, compassion, tolerance, justice and peaceful coexistence.
A federal lawmaker representing Saki and adjoining communities, Hon. Kareem Tajudeen Abisodun (Were), called on Nigerians to set aside religious, ethnic and political differences and work together for the development of their communities and the country.
The lawmaker, who stressed the importance of unity among members of the Muslim community, said collective efforts remained essential to promoting peace and development in Saki.
As part of his contribution to the annual celebration, he donated N3.2 million to support the Muslim community.
He also spoke on his interventions in employment, saying he had facilitated numerous job opportunities for youths across the constituency.
On security, the lawmaker expressed support for the proposed establishment of state police, saying bringing policing closer to the people would strengthen grassroots security and help curb criminal activities.
Also speaking, Hon. Shina Peller said the essence of the Mawlid celebration was to promote peace and unity and encourage Muslims to adhere to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Peller said youth empowerment and security would remain priorities in his plans for Oyo North, adding that efforts should be directed towards improving the standard of living of residents.
He also urged Nigerians to participate actively in elections and protect their votes from the polling units through the collation centres.
In his remarks, Hon. Shittu Ibrahim, a lawmaker representing Saki West Constituency and APC candidate for the constituency, said Islam stood for peace and urged Muslims to maintain harmonious relationships with adherents of other faiths.
Ibrahim said he had continued to contribute to the development of the Muslim community, adding that he had facilitated employment opportunities and implemented an empowerment scheme for his constituents.
He pledged that more people would benefit from future empowerment initiatives.
The event was attended by the APC senatorial candidate for Oyo North, Madam Hannah Olawunmi Ogunesan; APM candidate for the Old Ifedapo Federal Constituency, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi; APM candidate for Saki West State Constituency, Hon. Salaudeen Kabeer Adebayo; and members of the Okere-in-Council led by the Bakoja of Saki.