MURIC hails Katsina govt’s approval of widows’ leave

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has hailed the Katsina State government for granting four months and 10 days leave to widows in the state in line with Islamic principles.
 
Commending the government for its action, MURIC said it received the news published in national newspapers with great pleasure, recalling it earlier requested the Federal Government to approve four and a half months leave for widow-employees across the federation to enable them recover and compose themselves after the demise of their husbands.
 
Chairman, Sokoto State chapter of the organisation, Dr. Muhammad Mansur Aliyu, in a statement, expressed MURIC’s pleasure at the development. Aliyu said: “We at MURIC have received with great pleasure the news published by national dailies about the widows leave of four months and 10 days approved for widows in Katsina State.”
 
“According to the report, the leave was approved sequel to a motion passed by the Katsina State House of Assembly requesting the executive arm to issue a circular granting four months and 10 days leave (the period prescribed in Islam for widows to stay at home, also known as Iddah period, Qur’an 2 verse 234). 
 
“A memo was reportedly presented before the Katsina State Executive Council to that effect; and the council approved it, issuing a circular to all ministries, departments and agencies in the state to grant their female staff chance to observe the four months 10 days Iddah period. 
 
“As a result of this, widows in Katsina State can now enjoy their Allah-given fundamental human right in widowhood.” While commending the Katsina State House of Assembly, Katsina State Executive Council and the governor in particular for approving the four months and 10 days leave for widows in the state, the group urged the Federal Government and other state governments to emulate Katsina State government by granting leave for widows to ameliorate their predicament and the way they are treated by their employers immediately after their husbands die.