The government of Osun state, on Monday, September 10, announced Tuesday, September 11, as a public holiday to commemorate the new Islamic year, 1440 after the Hijrah.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the declaration was contained in a statement signed by Adebisi Obawale, the commissioner for home affairs in Osogbo.
Obawale said Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration had since inception celebrated Hijrah as a public holiday.
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The report said the state government urged Muslims and people of different faiths to imbibe the lessons of the Hijrah by abstaining from sinful practices for a new life and conduct that would add value to the state and the country at large.
Obawale also enjoined residents of the state to continue to live in harmony and peace, with religious tolerance and understanding.
“The government wishes Muslims in the state and across the world a happy New Year celebration and enjoins residents of the state to continue living harmoniously and peacefully with religious tolerance and understanding.
“As we enter the Islamic New Year, we must not only celebrate but also strive, as part of what Allah commands us, to internalise the lessons and essence of the Hijrah as exemplified by the uncommon patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the face of hardship.
“We pray, and there is no doubt that the New Year would usher the state into another era of economic prosperity, stability and peace and continuation of good governance," the statement said.
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The report said Obawale also urged Muslims to use the occasion to pray for peaceful conduct of September 22, governorship election in the state.
He commended Islamic faithful for their unalloyed support to the administration since inception and urged them not to relent.
NAIJ.com earlier reported how the the federal government declared Friday, June 15, 2018, and Monday, June 18, 2018, as public holidays to allow Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to celebrate the 2018 Eid- El Fitr, Abdulrahman Dambazau, a minister, has announced.
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Source: Naija.ng
