As the Ramadan Fast begins, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Interior Abdullahi Aliyu has urged grocery traders to refrain from exploiting people by charging exorbitant prices for food items during the Holy month.
Aliyu, who made the appeal in his Ramadan message to Nigerian Muslims at home and in the diaspora, said the exploitation was against the tenets of Islam and the spirit of Ramadan.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Sardauna Francis, the lawmaker cautioned the traders to desist from increasing prices of goods and food items during the holy month.
According to him, the once-so-soaring prices of essential food items are trending downward, hence appealing to grocery sellers not to hike the prices to provide relief to the nation’s fasting population.
Aliyu, who represents Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency, in Katsina South, said the traders and other Muslims should rather project the best and finest virtues of Islam by showing kindness and love for humanity in all their dealings.
“While we are observing this important occasion in the spiritual life of Muslims, I urged traders who increase the prices of their goods and food items at the beginning of every month of Ramadan to refrain from such exploitation,” he added.
He, however, admonished the Muslim faithful to devote themselves fully to the five pillars of Islam and use Ramadan to pray for the progress, peace, and prosperity of the nation.
Describing Ramadan as an occasion for deep reflection, greater fear of “Allah, and avoidance of all evils that harm humanity,” the lawmaker further urged the faithful to embody the virtues of selflessness and holiness.
