Muslims in Aba today, joined millions of faithful worldwide to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan—a period devoted to fasting, prayer, charity and spiritual reflection.
Large crowds gathered early at the Aba Central Mosque for the special Eid prayers. Worshippers, dressed in colourful traditional attire, exchanged greetings of “Eid Mubarak” amid an atmosphere of joy and gratitude following 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting.
HRH Sar’ki Shehu Bello II Leader of the Hausa community in Aba
Delivering the Eid sermon, Chief Imam of Aba, Sheikh Bashiru Idris, said Ramadan instills discipline, compassion and obedience to God.
“The essence of fasting goes beyond abstaining from food and drink; it is about cultivating righteousness, self-control and love for humanity,” he said. “Ramadan reminds us to care for the poor, forgive one another and live in peace with our neighbours.”
He urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of honesty, patience, generosity and humility beyond the festive period.
Speaking with journalists, the leader of the Hausa community in Aba, HRH Sar’ki Shehu Bello II, explained that the celebration followed the completion of 30 days of fasting after the crescent moon was not sighted on the 29th day of Ramadan.
He described Eid al-Fitr as the “lesser Sallah,” comparable to major religious celebrations in other faiths, and emphasised peaceful coexistence among residents.
“Our leaders teach that our closest brothers are our Christian neighbours,” he said, noting that Muslims demonstrate this through acts of charity and goodwill.
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is marked by the payment of Zakat al-Fitr—a compulsory charity given to the less privileged to enable them participate in the celebration.
A community member, Mallam Musa Sani, described the festival as both a spiritual milestone and a symbol of unity.
Sheikh Bashiru Idris Chief Iman Aba Mosque
“Ramadan is a training period for the soul,” he said. “Eid shows that sacrifice is followed by joy. It is a time to strengthen family ties, forgive past grievances and promote peaceful coexistence in our diverse society.”
Across the city, families marked the occasion by visiting relatives, sharing meals, giving gifts to children and supporting the needy.
Security personnel were deployed at major prayer grounds to ensure a peaceful celebration, while community leaders used the occasion to call for sustained harmony among people of different faiths.
Eid al-Fitr begins with the sighting of the new moon, signalling the start of Shawwal—the tenth month of the Islamic calendar—and the conclusion of Ramadan, one of Islam’s five pillars.
For Muslims in Aba, the celebration underscored not only a successful completion of fasting, but also a renewed commitment to faith, compassion and peaceful coexistence.
