EID-EL-FITR CELEBRATIONS.




Initials PBS/VS/BOB/LAD



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Background: THOUSANDS OF NIGERIANS CELEBRATED WITH THE REST OF THE MOSLEM WORLD OF THE FESTIVAL OF EID-EL-FITR ON TUESDAY. THE FESTIVAL MARKS THE END OF THE 30-DAY FAST OF RAMADAN OBSERVED BY MOSLEMS.

THE ANSAR FOLLOWERS OF THE RELIGION IN LAGOS OBSERVED THE FESTIVAL AT THE OBALENDE PRAYING GROUND. THE CELEBRATIONS WERE LED BY THE CHIEF IMAM OF LAGOS, ALHAJI IMAM IBRAHIM LIADI.

THE MOSLEM COMMUNITY MARCHED IN PROCESSION BEHIND THE CHIEF IMAM TO THE PRAYING GROUND. THE MILITARY RULER OF NIGERIA, MAJOR GENERAL GOWON, WATCHED THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONY FROM THE BALCONY OF HIS RESIDENCE.

MUCH OF THE USUAL POMP AND PAGAENTRY NORMALLY ACCOMPANYING EID-EL-FITR WAS ABSENT THIS YEAR IN RESPONSE TO GENERAL GOWON'S APPEAL FOR MODERATION IN VIEW OF THE CIVIL WAR BEING FOUGHT IN NIGERIA.

THE CHIEF IMAM OFFERED A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR PEACE AND UNITY IN NIGERIA DURING THE FESTIVAL.