Thousands of Muslim faithful thronged various mosques in Jos metropolis on Tuesday to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Benue Plateau Chronicle correspondent reports that preparations for the day started days earlier as many homes and mosques were adorned with colorful pictures.
The major celebration took place central mosques on Mango Street, Masallacin Juma’a Street and Layin Zana Street, among others.
The celebrants, who cut across age groups and genders, dressed in new attires danced and sang in celebration of the day.
Similarly, food, snacks, drinks and other beverages were shared among the celebrants.
The event also featured processions along major streets by about 50 Islamiyya Schools in the city.
Speaking at the Jos Central Mosque, one of the venues of the celebration, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state admonished Muslims to continue emulating the virtues and exemplary life style of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The governor, represented by the State Commissioner of Transport, Nazif Ahmad also tasked Muslims on forgiveness, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
“I am using this medium to call on Muslims to do things that would sustain peace. God in His wisdom has created His servants, and made them of divergent tribes, races and religious beliefs.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Maulud Organising Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Yahaya, called on the government to establish a special board that would be saddled with the responsibilities of supervising, supporting and regulating activities of Islamic schools in Nigeria.
“We are calling on the legislators, both at the Federal level and of the State level, to enact a law that would establish a board for Islamic schools in the country,” he urged.
He also called on the government to act decisively and stop the activities of youth gangs terrosing people in the metropolis.
The Public Relations Officer Plateau State police command, Terna Ytopev said 2,100 police personnel were deployed to ensure a hitch-free celebration accross the state.
