BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In a gesture of inclusivity and spiritual solidarity, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, hosted an Iftar dinner for the Muslim community at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and surrounding airport neighborhoods.
She used the occasion of the iftar (breaking of fast) to urge Muslims and Nigerians at large to pray for the aviation sector’s progress, foster unity, and promote peaceful coexistence.
Addressing the gathering at FAAN’s corporate headquarters, Kuku encouraged Muslims to uphold exemplary values in both private and public life, emphasizing the importance of moral leadership in shaping a harmonious society.
The historic event welcomed over 300 Muslim men and women, who broke their fast with the FAAN MD, observed the Maghrib prayer, and later engaged in personal discussions with her.
Reflecting on her upbringing in a Muslim household under the care of her grandmother, Kuku highlighted the profound impact of religious values on individual and national development.
She emphasized that faith should be a unifying force rather than a source of division, especially as Ramadan coincides with Lent, further reinforcing the shared spiritual essence among Nigerians.
“My grandmother is a Muslim, and I was raised in a Muslim family. But religion does not define, divide, or defile us; it is our hearts and actions that matter. This is also the time of Lent, reminding us that despite our religious differences, we are one,” she said.
Kuku expressed gratitude for the prayers offered by the airport’s Muslim community, acknowledging their role in the sector’s progress.
She urged attendees to embrace inclusivity, stating, “Look back on your journey and think about how you can uplift others as you move forward.”
She concluded with prayers for divine blessings, healing, and sustained goodwill beyond the holy month.
Speaking on the significance of the occasion, FAAN’s Director of Airport Operations, Captain Abdullahi Zubeir Mahmood, commended the MD’s commitment to strengthening ties with religious groups within the airport community.
He noted that the Iftar dinner was a testament to her leadership’s inclusivity and goodwill.
“Ramadan is a time of prayer, generosity, and extending kindness to all, regardless of faith.
The MD saw great significance in bringing the Muslim community within and around FAAN together for Iftar, fostering unity and shared blessings,” Mahmood said.
Quoting the teachings of the quran, he highlighted the spiritual value of sharing meals and the blessings of communal gatherings.
“This event reflects FAAN’s commitment to building not just infrastructure but a sense of family and belonging within the airport community. It is about extending a hand of friendship, reinforcing the message that we are one team,” he added.
