Islamic New Year: List Of States That Declared Public Holiday

• The Islamic New Year which marks the start of the Muslim lunar calendar falls during the second week of August this year.

•  To mark the start of the Islamic new year First Muharram Hijra 1444AH, some states in Nigeria have declared public holiday.

THE NATION REPORTERS highlights five states that will be observing a public holiday to commemorate the Islamic New Year.

Kano

The Kano State Government on Thursday declared Monday, August 1, 2022 a work-free day to mark the beginning of the 1444 Islamic (Hijrah) New Year.

The Kano State Government, in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, congratulated all Muslims in the state on the spiritual significance of the occasion, which also calls for self-assessment.

He called on the Muslim community to use the occasion to seek Allah’s forgiveness and pray for His intervention to salvage the nation from the lingering security challenges and improve the general well-being and progress of the state and the country in general.

Osun

The Osun State Government declared Friday as public holiday for the same purpose.

In Osun State, the holiday was announced in a statement signed by the Supervising Commissioner for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Olalekan Badmus, in Osogbo on Thursday.

Badmus urged Muslims and the entire people of the state to use the opportunity provided by the holiday to pray for continued peace and progress of the state.

The commissioner enjoined, “all Muslims in the state not only to celebrate Hijrah but engage in spiritual soul searching in line with the essence of the occasion as exemplified by the virtues of the holy prophet of Allah, Muhammad, while on earth.

“On behalf of the state government similarly, we sought for continued support and cooperation of the entire citizens of the state for the Oyetola administration.”

Oyo

The Oyo State Government has declared Monday, August 1, 2022 a work-free day to mark the new Islamic calendar, 1st Muharam (Hijrah) 1444 AH.

A circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, dated July 29, 2022 and communicated to heads of the legislature, Judiciary and various Ministries, Departments and Agencies indicated this development.

Kebbi

Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has declared Monday , 1st Aug., 2022, as a public holiday to mark the commencement of the Islamic New Year, Muharram 1444 AH.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena and made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Government has declared Monday, 1st August 2022 a work-free day to mark the Islamic New Year.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of the Civil Service, Hussaini Ali Kila on behalf of Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.