Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has commended some governors who declared public holiday to mark the Islamic new year, Hijrah 1435 A.H.
A statement by NSCIA’s Acting Director of Publicity, Muhammad kabir Qasim, said that the gesture by the governors enabled Muslims in the states to have equal opportunity like their Christian counterparts to mark the new Islamic year.
The spiritual leader, however, urged other state governors in the country to emulate their colleagues who declared holiday for Muslims in their states in the interest of unity, peace and justice.
Some of the states that declared holiday on the first day of the Islamic calendar year, Muharram 1, included Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Niger and Osun.
Meanwhile, Abubakar has felicitated with the Nigerian Muslim community and congratulated them for witnessing another new Hijrah year 1435 A.H.
“It is of good delight and gratitude to the Almighty Allah that another year has come to meet the Ummah in good stead and equanimity in spite of all odds,” Abubakar said.
He said: “The occasion is a vivid reminder of what Hijrah represents in the lives of Muslims.
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had to emigrate from Makkah to Madinah in 622 C. E. after he exhausted his patience with the Makkah pagans who were persecuting him.
“His endurance and steadfastness eventually paid off in Madinah where he succeeded in establishing an Islamic State with the first democratic constitution in the world based on truth and justice that formed the foundation for other subsequent constitutions in the world.
“Without his endurance and patience only Allah knows what would have become of Islam today.”
The Sultan reminded Muslims that the role of the Muslim community in the celebration of Hijrah year was to emulate the patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which propelled Islam to a very high level within the shortest period ever in history.
Abubakar added: “As we commemorate Hijrah memoriam this year, we should not let its real essence, that of patience with steadfastness be lost on us.
“We pray the Almighty Allah to grant the Ummah the opportunity of this celebration many years ahead and preserve Nigeria for us as a single united nation.”
Trending
- Tinubu mourns victims of tanker fire incident in Rivers
- Removal of structures on System 1, Odo Iya Alaro drainage setback will address major flooding issues on the mainland –Tokunbo Wahab
- Abuja Chinese Supermarket labelled all products in Chinese currency – FCCPC
- Gospel musician, Morenikeji ‘Egbin Orun’ Adeleke, laid to rest + Video
- For Ayogu Eze and Ezinne Margaret Nwomeh, by Festus Adedayo
- NAF strikes terrorists in Niger, economic saboteurs in Niger Delta
- Sugar-coated infant milk not registered, sold in Nigeria – NAFDAC
- Enugu community conducts mass burial for eight victims of communal clashes