Borno, Katsina declare public holidays
As Muslims across Nigeria join others around the world to mark the Islamic New Year, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has renewed its call for the federal and state governments to officially declare Muharram 1, the first day of the Islamic calendar, as a public holiday.
Meanwhile, two Northern states have already declared public holidays. While Borno State in the North-East made yesterday work-free day, Katsina State on the North-West declared today a holiday to mark the commencement of the Islamic year 1447, after Hijrah.
The group said doing so would promote religious fairness and give Muslims the same recognition already given to Christians with the January 1 holiday in the Gregorian calendar.
This was made known in a statement signed by the MMPN National President, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who described Muharram 1 as “our own January 1.”
Balogun also urged the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to open a formal dialogue with the government on this and other issues affecting Muslims in Nigeria. He commended Northern governors as well as those in Oyo and Osun States who already recognise the Islamic New Year as a public holiday and encouraged others to follow their example.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Borno, Bukar Tijjani, in a statement, yesterday, in Maiduguri, revealed, “The work-free day also applies to all institutions, including offices, schools and the financial institutions operating in the state.”
The SSG, therefore, urged residents to use the new Islamic calendar as a time of reflection with spiritual renewal for the betterment of the state and the entire country.
Also, in a statement issued by Katsina SSG, Abdullahi Faskari, Governor Dikko Radda extended his heartfelt congratulations to all muslims in the state and across the country on witnessing the new Islamic calendar.
The statement added that the declaration of the holiday was to enable civil servants and residents to join other faithful in celebrating the year, and to reflect on its spiritual significance.
