Osun Government Declares Hijrah holiday

By Uthman Samad

The State Governor of Osun , Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has declared today, Tuesday September 11th, 2018 public holiday to commemorate the Islamic New Year, Hijra in the state.

According to the statement of the State government which was issued by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Adebisi Obawale said the public holiday is observed to mark Islamic new year which started counting in 622 AD after the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in Saudi Arabia.

 Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration had since inception marked the Hijra day as public holiday in the state.

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 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 released stated.

The government also urged all the muslims and people of different faiths to imbibe the lessons of the Hijrah by leaving sinful and malfeasance practices for a new life and conduct that will add value to the state and the country at large.

The state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola also enjoins all Muslims to use the occasion to pray for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming gubernatorial election coming up on 22nd September, 2018 also commended the Islamic faithful for their unalloyed support for the present administration since inception, Aregbesola further appeals for that support during and after the gubernatorial election.