Muslims in Osun State celebrated the 1445 new Hijrah Islamic year with fanfare in Osogbo, the state capital at the weekend.
The event was organized by the Osun State Muslim Community (OSMC) in collaboration with the state government and attended by top dignitaries in the state.
Muslims in the state, including children and women thronged the Osogbo City Stadium for the celebration which featured a special hijrah lecture and match pass by students.
Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke was represented at the event by his Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. B.T Salam.
Adeleke congratulated Muslims in the state on the new hijrah year 1445 celebration.
Addressing the gathering, at the event, the President of Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi, urged the state governor to recognize the Islamic Personal Laws system known as Shariah in the state in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of religion without prejudice.
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He also called on the governor to urgently recruit Arabic and Islamic teachers into all public schools across the state, saying that the current number of teachers in the schools falls well below the required number.
The OSMC President also urged the state government and the Federal Government to revive all dormant industries in the state, such as the Steel Rolling Mills, Machine Tools Industry in Osogbo, and the Cocoa Industry in Ede.
Olawuyi said these efforts would provide employment opportunities for youths and boost the economy of the state.
He appealed to the state government to address the concerns of the residents on the health hazards arising from emissions from the iron and steel recycling factories in Ikirun and Ile-Ife.
The Muslim leader said these industries have caused unnecessary deaths and infections of hepatitis diseases among the workers and residents.
The representative of the governor promised to take the message to him and assured him that necessary steps would be taken by the Governor.
The Hijrah lecture with the theme: ‘Bridging the Gap Between Corruption and Nation Building,’ was delivered by Dr. Mukaila Folorunso, an associate professor at the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Osun State University, Osogbo.
In his lecture, Folorunso said corruption was a bane to development and called on the government at all levels to discourage corruption.
He also advised citizens to abstain from corruption, saying that wealth amassed illegally would attract punishment from the Almighty God and would also bring shame to corrupt individuals.
Winners of the Quranic Competition and match pass were awarded prizes by the Muslim Community.