Woman Leader of Bonny Kingdom, Amaopuorubo Helen Jack-Wilson Pepple has felicitated with the President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar on the occasion of Eid el-Fitr celebration.

In a message to felicitate with the Sultan and Islamic faithful during the Sallah celebrations, Pepple said the Abubakar has provided the needed leadership for the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria that has seen to the entrenchment of religious tolerance and inter-faith interactions across the country.

She noted that “this year’s celebration by Islamic faithful across the globe was an opportunity to reflect on the values that religious diversity entrenches in the society,” positing that religious tolerance is the way to go as humanity’s convergence around the Divine was inevitable, non-negotiable and sublime.

Eid al-Fitr is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. The religious holiday is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.

She stressed that though Bonny Kingdom was a Christian kingdom, its people recognize the multi-faith dynamics of residents of its communities, pointing out that “even among our own people, there Islamic adherents whose faith must be respected”.

“At a time like this, we, as a people, especially, the great women of Bonny Kingdom cannot but identify with our Muslim brothers and sisters as they celebrate Eid Mubarak. The feast and the celebration is worth it as it indicates man’s submission to the will of Allah.”

Pepple, who was the first female Secretary of Bonny Local Government Council, prayed for “Allah’s mercies, favour and blessings on all Muslim Ummah in Bonny and beyond, wishing them a happy celebration”.

She also prayed for the Sultan, who is the Head of the Muslim Community in Nigeria, to live long, remain healthy and strong, and be imbued with the necessary wisdom and grace to continue to guide the Ummah aright.