VOX POP: Eid-el-Kabir: High expectations as residents observe festival

As Muslim faithful today mark this year’s Eid-el Kabir otherwise called ‘big Sallah’, a special religious event in the lives of Muslims across the world. In this vox pop conducted by Hafsat Abdullahi, Grace Dooyum Danjuma and Maduakor Uju for PeoplesDaily, Abuja residents expressed high expectations from observing the festival. Excerpts:

Dan Fulani: My expectation toward this sallah is to celebrate it in peace and unity, as we should maintain peace in our various environment and avoid violence.The Eid – el – kabir is a period of peace and love, so as Nigerians let’s try and maintain peace,show love to one another irrespective of our religious or political affiliations.
Mary Baba: My expectation is that as Nigerians we will celebrate Sallah peacefully just like the previous ones. Security agencies are doing their best to see that no one will involve him/herself in any form of violence. I’m highly convinced that this year Eid -el- Kabir will be peaceful like the previous one.

Khalid Abdullahi: I’m excited to travel to the village to celebrate this big Sallah. This Sallah is a special one because there are three different blessings in it, there is the blessing of Arafat day. Eid-el prayers and that of Friday’s prayers.

Bala Dan-Suleiman: As Muslims, we are marking both Arafat (fasting) and Sallah, which are special days for us. We thank God for sparing our lives to witness these days.

Alhaji Bulama- I’m very delighted to witness this Eid- kabir as it is one of it’s kind.I have made proper arrangements towards this great celebration. I’m about going to buy a Ram which will be used to celebrate. I have equally gotten all other things like clothes,shoes,foodstuffs for my family and I. And I expect other Muslims to do same.

Aishatu Shuaibu: I plan to travel to the village as we don’t celebrate Sallah in Abuja. We are up and down to see it becomes a success.

Abubakar Umar: I thank almighty Allah for keeping us to witness another Sallah, I wish my Muslim brothers and sisters a happy Sallah celebration.I pray and hope that the cost of things in the market will reduce, so that the poor can afford them during the period. I also pray that we all celebrate the Sallah in peace,unity,and in good health.

Mama Idris:To me, this Sallah is not like the previous one, everything is a bit more rough. I went to the market yesterday, I couldn’t buy children’s clothes, because the prices were so high; so I had to come back home. It is usual that every festive period prices of things go up in the market but this Sallah there is no money.
Honestly, I didn’t expect that up till now the price of goods will still be high.I pray that even with this reality, we will be able to celebrate this Sallah happily and in unity as Almighty Allah please.

Alhaji Bulama: I’m very delighted to witness this Eid- Kabir as it is one of it’s kind.I have made proper arrangements towards this great celebration. I have gotten Ram and all other things like clothes, shoes,foodstuffs for my family and I. And I expect other Muslims to do same.

Mrs Gloria Maduakor:
Although, I’m a Christian, however, I must go out to celebrate with my Muslim friends.I urge other Christians to do so too because the Muslims also celebrate Christmas with us.I therefore sincerely wish for this Sallah to be peaceful and conflict free.

Miss Zainab Abdullahi: This Sallah is a great one and I must celebrate it to the very last.I pray for it to be free of violence. We need peace and purity during this festive period. I am not traveling but will be here to fully celebrate. I enjoined every Muslim to be happy, even as ask everyone to celebrate with us.

Mr Muhammad Adamu:There is no money with which to celebrate the Sallah but I’m very thankful to Allah for the gift of life. I am not traveling but I will fully celebrate as I have gotten all my clothes, shoes and the Ram for this great celebration.

Mrs Dupe: We don’t have problem with celebrating Sallah. What the bible teaches is for us to live in peace with all men and that is how I live. I will therefore celebrate with my Muslim neighbours during this period as we live in absolute peace. There will be no form of crisis as I perceive it to be a peaceful one.

Hajiya Bulama-I am well prepared for this great celebration, I have gotten all I need-my children’s clothes, shoes and other accessories.I am from borno but am not traveling,I will celebrate mine here. All Muslims are expected to go to the mosque pray and thank Allah after which they can now slaughter their rams, cook and enjoy.

from peoples daily