Ramadan: FAAN MD Hosts Airport Muslim Ummahs, Urges Prayers, Peaceful Co-existence

Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku has called on muslim community at the country’s airports and Nigerians to continue to pray for the development of the sector, promote unity and peaceful co-existence in order to build a peaceful airport environment and the nation at large.

Mrs. Kuku spoke when she hosted muslim ummahs at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and those from surrounding airport communities for an Iftar dinner at the FAAN corporate headquarters where she urged Muslims to be model of good morals in their dealings both in private and public life.

The historic event drew over 300 muslim men and women who broke their fast with the FAAN MD and thereafter observed the Maghrib prayer and thereafter engaged Mrs. Kuku in private discussions.

Speaking, the FAAN helmsman said the country is blessed with God fearing populations in it different religious bodies adding that the fear of God among the citizens has ensured the country make giant progress in all sphere.

She recalled that having been raised in a muslim home under her grandmother, she appreciated the critical role a good religious upbringing help shaping the growth and development of individuals and the country.

Speaking on peaceful co-existence, Kuku said “My grandmother is a Muslim. I was raised with her in a muslim family, but religion does not define us. It doesn’t divide us and it doesn’t defile us. It is our hearts as peoples that shows the posterity and the importance. It is indeed a thing of joy that this is also the time of lent and that is to show us that despite our religions, we’re all one.”

“So, I want to use this time to appreciate the leaders here, thank you for your prayers, they are indeed working for the growth of the airports. The development we have seen since we took over are partly due to your continuous prayers and supplications. I want you to take everybody as one, look back on your journey and use this time to think about how you can hold and take people with you on your journey going forward.”

“I pray that the Lord and the Almighty Allah answer all of our prayers. I pray that the Almighty Allah looks down upon us. I pray that the Almighty Allah heals us. And I pray that the way that we leave during this holy month is how we continue to live, going forward.”

Speaking on the significance of the occasion, FAAN Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Abdullahi Zubeir Mahmood said the MD was passionate about extending her hand of fellowship to the various religious bodies in the airports community and had chosen to have the Iftar dinner with the muslim faithfuls.

Mahmood said: “You know this month is the holy month of Ramadan. It is a month of prayers, a month of giving, a month of extending gestures to all families, irrespective of whether somebody is a Muslim or Christian or whatever. Once you have your neighbors, your families, your friends, your coworkers, this is the time for supplication, time for sending gifts.

So, the MD considered it of great significance to call on the Muslim community that are literally under her, and even the Muslim community that are within the neighborhood of FAAN, to come and sit down and have Iftar dinner with her.”

“You know, the Holy Prophet Mohamed told us that the best food that you will eat is the food you eat in a gathering with people, that’s when you have the blessing. What you give to somebody is what is your own, but what you eat is just a waste.

He added that “Anytime you invite somebody to your place, to come, whatever it is, even if that person is your enemy. By extending that invitation, the person accepts it, there is a blessing in an invitation. You could see how the people are, how passionate they are, and they are looking at this as something that is different, something that is different from its kind.

People leave their houses, people that are supposed to have their Iftar with their family, and they all rush. You could see how the FAAN brings families and communities together.

So, it’s part of the thing that the MD is initiating, a kind of extending her hand of friendship to people, letting people know that, okay, you are my people. You are my team. Come together. Come to me. Let’s dine together.”