The Chief Imam of Uwani Islamic Centre, Enugu, Sheik Abdul Isola, has urged government at all levels, leaders and parents to ensure that the youth are gainfully engaged to stem violence.

According to him, it is a well-known fact that an idle man is the devil’s workshop, while a group of idle youths are ready tools for unscrupulous, rich or influential elements.

“For us to reduce the violence in our land, we must use this Ramadan to reflect on how we engage every young person around us.

“As governments, leaders and parents, we must learn how to engage our youths gainfully; encourage and reward hard work and honesty among them,’’ he said.

The cleric urged government, leaders (community and religious) and parents to rescue the youth from hands of unscrupulous elements influencing them with false wealth promise, gambling, indulgence in drug abuse and all sorts of fraud.

“Today, idleness should not be accepted by any parent even if a youth is stubborn to listen to get positively engaged.

“They should be persistently encouraged to get gainfully engaged by all elders around.

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“It is solely our responsibility, since Almighty Allah had given them to us, to ensure they follow the right path of life and build a responsible society for tomorrow,’’ he said.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month for fasting, prayer, reflection and assisting the needy.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is a compulsory religious obligation for all adult Muslims.