By Correspondent in Lokoja
A cleric, Ushataz Abdulfatai, has called on Muslims who discriminate against members of other religions to desist from such behaviour in the interest of Islam and peaceful co-existence among them and the people in the society.
He gave the advice on Thursday in his sermon marking the 8th day firdau prayer in Lokoja for the repose soul of Malam Suleiman, a retired civil servant in kogi state.
Late Mal.Suleiman
According to him, Islam recognises Jesus Christ as a Prophet of God and all the miracles he did while on earth, adding that the religion also permits a muslim to marry a christian without recourse to convert to the husband or wife’s religion.
He said whatever one belonged, the important thing is absolute belief in one God and to do good to one another as enshrined in all religions.
On the deceased, the religious leaders described him as a good Muslim, cherished and practised in unity among the people, irrespective of religious inclination during his journey in life.
He called on the congregation to be prayerful by observing their daily prayer faithfully as well as other pillars of Islam in order to ensure aljanah (Paradise).
Ustaz Abdulfatai prayed Almighty Allah to grant the deceased aljanah firduasi and the family he left behind, protection and the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Some members of the congregation who spoke on the deceased described him as a loving, peaceful, fatherly to all in his neighborhood, faithful as well as a detribalised person whose way of life was worthy of emulation.
Our correspondent reports the late Suleiman, a native of Arigo in Okengwe district of Okene Local Government Area of Kogi state, who was in his early 70s, died during an illness in Lokoja.