Ramadan: Group warns traders against hike in foodstuffs prices

As Muslims commenced fasting, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MWWG, has charged dealers and retailers of foodstuffs against increasing the prices of the items for maximum profits.

The appeal was contained in the Ramadan message sent to Muslims all over the country by the group, which was jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Mal. Ibrahim Abdullahi and the National Secretary, Dr. Nasir Balogun.

The group described the holy month of Ramadan as a blessing to mankind, adding that “any good deed in the month is rewarded in multiple folds, while sins committed therein will be purnished severely by Almighty Allah here and the hereafter.”

It described profiteering as a grievous sin which would attracts punishment severely from God “as it creates hardship for the poor and less-priviledged.”

MMWG, therefore, warned that the problem of hunger and poverty in the land must not be increased through profiteering of food items.

On the problem of insecurity in land, the group admonished the “misguided elements” engaging in terrorism, kidnapping, abduction, arson and all forms of criminal activities to, in the spirit of the holy month, quit the business.

Specifically, it advised them to surrender their arms and ammunition, and resolve to live better lives from this holy month till they exit this planet.

This, MMWG maintained, is better for them so as to save them Allah’s chastisement here and hereafter.

On street begging, especially by children of school ages, the group called on the federal and state governments to synagise in the spirit of ‘International Day for Children on the Streets’ marked globally yesterday to evolve a social policy that would keep-them-off the streets and register them for schooling.

It noted that “most of criminal activities we are witnessing in Nigeria now are by-products of illiteracy, bad parentage and lack of social policies to stem the tide.”

It specially called on the 19 Northern governors to put into effect the avowed promise to wipe-out street begging to engender peace and progress in their states, describing the prevailing security challenges in the region as unimaginable.