Four Nigerian states – Kano, Oyo, Kwara, and Osun – have announced that Wednesday will be a work-free day to mark the beginning of the 1445 Islamic (Hijrah) New Year.
This decision reflects the commitment of these state governments to acknowledge and honor the significance of the Islamic calendar. Through public statements, the governors of each state have expressed their well wishes and called upon their constituents to embrace the occasion with prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, as represented by the State Commissioner of Information, Baba Dantiye, encouraged residents to dedicate this day to peaceful reflection and to seek divine intervention for the state’s well-being. Governor Yusuf extended his congratulations to Muslims worldwide on the arrival of the new Islamic year, emphasizing the importance of unity and economic progress for both Kano State and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, through his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, proclaimed Wednesday as a public holiday. He conveyed his felicitations to Muslim faithful on the commencement of the New Year, urging them to utilize the occasion to pray for the peace, unity, and sustainability of Oyo State and Nigeria. This gesture underlines the governor’s commitment to fostering harmony and progress within his jurisdiction.
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In a similar vein, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State declared Wednesday a work-free day, as confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr. Mudashiru Oyedeji. Furthermore, Governor Adeleke will personally oversee a special march past on Saturday at the Osogbo township stadium. This event, which forms part of the series of activities planned to commemorate the new Islamic year, will symbolize unity and solidarity among the residents of Osun State.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has also approved a work-free day to coincide with the commencement of the new Islamic year. Acknowledging the persistent requests from various quarters within the state, Governor AbdulRazaq has responded affirmatively, aligning Kwara State with the practice observed in numerous other states throughout Nigeria.
This decision demonstrates the governor’s attentiveness to the aspirations of his constituents and his commitment to inclusivity.
Islamic New Year and MMPN
Meanwhile, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), an Islamic group, has reiterated its call for both Federal and state governments to declare Muharram 1, the first day of the Islamic Hijrah 1445 A.H., as a public holiday. In a statement issued by the National President of MMPN, Alhaji Abdu-Rahman Balogun, the group emphasized that such a declaration would be fair, just, and in accordance with the rule of law. This appeal serves as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit for equal recognition of Islamic holidays across the country, a matter of great importance to millions of Muslims in Nigeria.
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In summary, the work-free days declared by the governments of Kano, Oyo, Kwara, and Osun states to commemorate the beginning of the Islamic New Year reflect their commitment to inclusivity and acknowledgment of the significance of the Islamic calendar.
As these states observe this important occasion, they aspire for peace, unity, and economic development, echoing the hopes and aspirations of their constituents. The appeal by the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria reinforces the call for broader recognition of Islamic holidays throughout the nation, ensuring equal treatment and fostering a sense of fairness and justice for Nigeria’s Muslim population.
