LAGOS SEPTEMBER 27TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The Moslem community in the state has been called to help check the menace of the cattle herdsmen in the state, as Islam is a religion of peace.
The call was made on Thursday September 23, 2015 by the Executive Assistant to the Delta state governor on Religious Matters, Bishop Greatman Nmalagu, when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Moslem leaders in the 25 LGA’s of the state to personally deliver the gifts of Rams to them as a mark of solidarity from the state government.
The aide to the governor, while congratulating the Muslims on the celebration of the Eid-el Kabir festival delivered the message of peace and unity between the Muslims communities and their neighbours from the Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
Bishop Nmalagu told the leaders that fanaticism by some members of the Islamic faith had made many people to see Islamic religion as a religion of violent, which was not the reason prophet Mohammed founded Islam.
Addressing the leaders and the Muslim communities in each of the LGA where there are Muslims, Bishop Nmalagu told them that the governor is a peace loving person and that is while he is celebrating with them to encourage them to continue to preach peace and unity to their people so that a cordial relationship will be built with other religious bodies and individuals in the state.
On the continuous attack on communities by cattle herdsmen in Delta state, Bishop Nmalagu used the period of the Eid-el Kabir celebration to call on the Muslim leaders to help in educating the herdsmen against violence and destruction of economic crops while grazing.
According to him, the government is not happy as lives and properties are lost because of the activities of the cattle herdsmen in many communities in Delta state, because they had failed to recognise that the crops are as important as their animals.
“You should tell them that as their cattle is impotent, so also are our yam, cassava, and other crops are to us, so they should stop destroying our crops and killing our people”. He said.
Bishop Nmalagu who also used the opportunity of the visit to tell the leaders of the planned summit on peace for Muslims in the state by the government through his office, reminded them that they should always remind their followers that all religion is worshiping one God, but the difference is how each worship and relate to others.
Reacting to the message of the governor, and especially on the Eid-el Kabir gift from the Governor Okowa, the various Muslim leaders thanked the governor for his magnanimity, and said that since inception of the state they had never had it so good as they had been so recognised by the present government, and promised to see to the end of the continuous attack by the cattle herdsmen in the state. They also welcomed the idea of a Muslim summit in the state so that they can use the forum to educate the members of other religious bodies that Islam is a religion of peace.