Hijrah 1443AH: Oyetola, Bagudu declare Monday public holiday

Group Demands National Holiday For Islamic New Year 

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu have declared Monday, August 9, as public holiday in commemoration of the first day of the Islamic Hijrah Calendar 1443 A.H.

In a statement congratulating Muslims and non-Muslims, Oyetola requested prayers from all for Nigeria’s growth and development.

Similarly, Kebbi State acting Head of Service, Sufyanu Garba Bena, in a statement, said the gesture by Bagudu is to enable Muslim Ummah to join other faithful across the world to mark the commencement of the Islamic New Year.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has called on both federal and state governments in Nigeria to declare Muharram 1, the first day of the Islamic Hijrah Calendar 1443 A.H, as a public holiday.

MMPN’s National President, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun said such a declaration would be in line with the rule of law, fairness and justice to Muslims in Nigeria.

Balogun urged the Federal Government to recognise the Muslim New Year in the interest of fairness as benefitted by the Christian brethren on every January 1. This gesture, he stressed, would give Muslims a sense of belonging in the polity.

He implored government at various levels to recognise the Hijrah calendar and use it side by side with the Gregorian calendar in line with the country status as a multi-religious state.

Balogun congratulated Muslims and non-Muslims alike for witnessing another new Islamic year, urging them to reflect on their deeds and activities during the past year.

He asked Muslims to use the opportunity of the New Year to migrate from their past evil ways to renew their commitments in the New Year and pray to Allah to end the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic, which had ravaged the world and insecurity challenges in Nigeria.

The MMPN President also called on the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to enter into dialogue with government on the issue, imploring Muslims to rededicate themselves to the cause of building an egalitarian society and join hands with other Nigerians in moving the nation forward.

He, however, commended state governors who had declared public holiday for Islamic New Year, especially in the Northern part of the country, as well as Oyo and Osun states in South West, urging others to emulate their colleagues.