Ramadan: the moon as a metaphor

For almost one week, we waited for the moon. Meanwhile the holidays had been declared. The fanfare had even started. We were all in celebration mood. Every item for the festivity was ready. The appetite had been sharpened.
Still the rams could not be slaughtered. The wines could not be uncorked.
Something had gone wrong somewhere. The celebration was put on hold because the symbol of that celebration: the moon had refused to surface. Until it surfaced, the fast was still on. The festivity had to be put on hold. As the world waited, tongues began to wag: what has happened to our dear moon?
The moon became the topic; the moon became the issue attracting unending comments from both the initiates and the non-initiates alike. Some wondered why the festivity was tied to the appearance of the moon; and why the public holidays were declared when the moon was yet to appear.
So, the moon disappeared and the world stood still. Many non-initiates made huge jokes out of the non-appearance or the disappearance of the moon.
The social media, including the ever active WhatsApp, created huge fun out of the non-appearance of the moon. At least, they made Nigerians chuckle despite the biting hardship they face.
In one of the jokes, President Muhammadu Buhari was shown in a picture surrounded by state governors and his aides. The picture depicted the president talking to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
The mischievous cartoonist presented Buhari as asking: “el-Rufai, where is the moon?” Then the governor answered: “Sir, I think PDP has stolen it…Corrupt people!!!”
In another joke, someone sent a breaking news to friends stating in part that “…the moon which was due to appear in Saudi Arabia this morning as predicted, is suspected to be one of the victims of the early morning bomb blast in Saudi Arabia.
The moon was said to be holidaying in the holy city having been exiled from Iraq, Syria, Turkey and other troubled states….”
So we had jokes upon jokes. They were meant to generate laughter and ease the tension caused by the delay in the appearance of the moon.
My only concern is that when the moon finally appeared, none of my Muslim friends invited me for the celebration. They quickly forgot how much I joined them to pray for the appearance of the moon. Instead, they disappeared into their homes for the feast to begin.
Funny enough, while some of us joined our Muslim friends to pray for the quick appearance of the moon, others, particularly the civil servants, embarked on a contrary prayer topic. They fervently prayed that the sacred moon should continue to delay its appearance so that the holidays would be extended. God refused to answer their unpatriotic prayers.
Those who prayed against the appearance of the moon also included the bankers—those overpaid and underworked bunch of salary earners. I met one of them in church during the period and her prayer topic was simple: Lord, keep the moon safe in your custody till next week. I love this holiday. It’s good for my health.
The crescent moon is the internationally recognised symbol of Islam; just like the cross is in Christianity. I’m almost persuaded to dwell on the history of the moon in Islamic religion. It is an interesting topic; but I won’t go there because I am not an authority on such issues.
Any perceived factual error in my historical narrative or a misunderstood intention could offend the sensibilities and sensitivities of many people.
It is better to just conclude that the crescent moon is to the Muslims what the Star of David is to the ancient Jewish religionists and what the Cross is to the followers of Jesus Christ or Christians.
What this implies is that every religion has its symbol; something that strengthens the faith of the worshippers.
The good news is that at last the moon appeared in its glory; and the celebration began with great relief. The fast immediately came to a close without further delay.
Cries of dying rams could be heard all over the neighbourhood. Voices of children rejoicing were pretty loud; and understandably so. The long wait was over. The holy party took off in earnest.
The delay in the appearance of the moon, the tension, the drama, the jokes, and the eventual appearance of the moon should serve as a metaphor for the state of affairs in Nigeria.
The much expected change promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) represents the elusive moon. The delay in the realisation of that change is a concern to every Nigerian; irrespective of religion.
Nigerians have fasted for too long in anticipation of the change. It was supposed to be a change for a better living standard.
What we see now, one year after voting for the change, is a change from the green pastures of the tropics to the inconsumable, yellow pastures of the desert. Hunger is killing the citizens silently.
How long do we have to wait for the APC’s promised moon to appear? When will the budget be implemented? When will the contractors be paid? When will the change be seen? I keep looking at the word change in the dictionary.
The one meaning that comes to mind is: to become something different or to make something into something different.
This is July. The difference is yet to be seen. Please, let the moon appear. Let the goodies flow. Nobody is asking for free lunch. Nigerians want change. Let this dry season end. Amen.