Ramadan: Jonathan calls for prayers for peace

President Goodluck Jonathan   has called on  Muslims in the country to offer special prayers during the Ramadan period for greater peace and security in the nation.

In a statement, Jonathan said that, as Muslim faithful worldwide undergo   the 'strictures and spiritual purification of the annual Ramadan fast against the background of security challenges in the country,' they should rededicate themselves to the virtues of the religion.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in the statement, said 'The President seizes the opportunity of the commencement of the Ramadan fast to reassure the entire nation that the Federal Government continues to work tirelessly to curb insurgency, terrorism and other criminal acts which have caused insecurity in parts of the country.

'He urges Nigerians not to succumb to despair, but to remain steadfast in the firm conviction that with courage, determination, focus, decisiveness and collective support for the Armed Forces   and security agencies, the country will ultimately overcome the evil agents of sectionalism, sectarianism and international terrorism who seek to disunite the nation.

'As they observe the Ramadan, President Jonathan also calls on Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves in fuller measure to the virtues of piety, self-discipline, tolerance, equity, honesty, fairness and sympathy for the less privileged which the Holy month promotes.

'The President joins all people of faith in praying that God Almighty will grant Nigeria greater peace, security, unity and national harmony.'