The Islamic New Year began on Sunday, July 7, 2024, the first day of Al-Muharram, 1446 AH.
To celebrate the day, some Nigerian states declared Monday as a work-free day for civil servants to commemorate the start of the Islamic calendar.
Katsina State
The Katsina State Government declared Monday as a work-free day to commemorate the start of the Islamic calendar, 1446 After Hijra (AH).
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Katsina by Mr Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, the Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba-Faskari.
Governor Dikko Radda urged all Muslims to strictly adhere to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in their daily activities.
He called on the clerics to continue to advocate for peaceful coexistence amongst the various communities in the state.
The governor also called for prayers against security challenges and hardships being faced in the country, while wishing the people a prosperous Islamic year and bumper harvest at the end of the cropping season.
Borno state
The Borno Government has declared Monday as a public holiday in recognition of the Islamic New Year of Hijrah calendar.
The acting Governor of the State, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, announced that Monday would be observed as a public holiday throughout the state.
Kadafur said the decision was in honour of the Islamic New Year, which begins on the first day of the month of Muharram.
According to him, the public holiday aims to provide the Muslim community with the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the Hijrah and to celebrate the Islamic New Year in a spirit of unity and devotion.
He said that the Hijrah marks the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
Muharram is also one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar, as ordained by Allah (SWT) in the Holy Quran.
The acting governor extended his best wishes to the Muslims in Borno and around the world, expressing hope for a peaceful, harmonious, and productive new Islamic year.
He urged the Muslim Ummah to uphold values of moderation, piety, tolerance, respect, dignity, and patriotism, which resonate universally.
Kadafur also encouraged Muslims to coexist peacefully with the followers of other faiths, fostering bonds of fraternity, generosity, and mercy that unite humanity.
Kwara State
The Kwara Government declared Monday as a work-free day in the state in commemoration of the new Islamic Year, 1446 A.H.
This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, on Friday in Ilorin.
“The first day of the Muharram 1446 falls on Sunday, July 7, 2024, according to many calculations.
“The Governor shares in the mixed memories that this occasion brings to the Muslims annually, and calls for deeper introspection on the journey of the community and its duty to be the light bearers for tolerance, mutual respect, and justice.
“The governor wishes the community a blessed new Hijrah year and prays Allah to accord everyone its blessings and uphold the community upon goodness,” he said.
Kebbi state
Kebbi govt. Nasir Idris has declared Monday as a public holiday to mark the beginning of the new Islamic calendar, 1st Muharram 1446AH.
Alhaji Auwal Manu-Dogondaji, the state Commissioner for Establishment, said this in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
According to him, the 1st of Muharram is on a Sunday, and due to the importance of the Islamic New Year, the government decided to shift the public holiday to Monday.
Manu-Dogondaji congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the advent of the new Islamic calendar, urging the Muslims to sustain fervent prayers for peace, security and prosperity of kebbi and the nation as a whole.
“I extend the congratulation of the governor to the entire Muslim Ummah across the globe,” the commissioner said.
