- •Kano, Kebbi, Osun, Oyo announce public holiday
- • Christian cleric hosts Muslim youths
The Sultanate Council yesterday announced that due to non-sighting report of the crescent in Nigeria, today has been declared the first day of Muharram 1445 After the Hijrah (AH).
In celebration of the Islamic New Year, some states across the country have declared today as a public holiday.
In Kebbi State, Governor Nasir Idris declared today as a work-free day for the residents to celebrate the New Year.
A statement in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, by the Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba-Babale, reads: “This followed the Sultanate’s declaration of Wednesday, July 19, as 1st day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Year.
“The public holiday is to enable the Muslim Ummah to celebrate the Islamic New Year.”
Also, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared today as a public holiday in commemoration of this year’s Hijrah celebration.
In a circular by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, the governor congratulated Muslims on the commencement of the New Year and enjoined them to pray for the peace, unity and sustainability of the state and the country.
In Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke also declared today as a public holiday.
A statement yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties said the governor would preside over a special match past on July 22 at Osogbo Township Stadium as part of activities to mark the Islamic New Year.
Adeleke congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the celebration of the new calendar year.
Also, the Kano State government has declared today as work–free to mark the beginning of the 1445 Islamic New Year.
A statement by Information Commissioner Baba Dantiye said Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf congratulated Muslims around the world on the new Islamic year.
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He enjoined the civil servants and other residents to pray for peace, tranquility and economic development of the state and the country. The governor urged them to practise the virtues of kindness, love and tolerance, as exemplified by Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Also, a team of northern Christian clerics has felicitated Muslims across the country, Africa and the Arab world on the Islamic New Year.
Pastor Yohanna Buru conveyed the greetings when some Muslim youths and scholars visited him at his home in Sabon Tasha, southern Kaduna.
The Christian cleric urged Muslims to intensify prayers for peace and unity in the country, West Africa and the rest of the world.
The guests said the visit was meant to foster more friendly relationships with Buru and Christian organisations in the area to promote peaceful co-existence.
Buru, who always sends peace messages through his Facebook page and other social media platforms on every Islamic New Year, emphasised the essence of such messages in promoting peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance among Muslims and Christians.