Kogi Muslims Celebrate Islamic New Year Hijrah 1445
– Urges Kogi State Govt. To Declare Hijrah Day Subsequently As Public holiday.
By Abubakar S. H
The Chairman of the Hijrah Islamic celebration organised by Kogi state Muslim Organizations, (kosmo)
Under the Auspices of Jam’atu Nasril Islam, (JNI) this year 1445 in kogi State, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali has appeal to the Executive Governor of the state, to emulate his Muslim colleagues by declaring subsequent Hijrah day as a public holiday in the state.
The Hijrah celebration which took place at Alhaji Aboki Modern mosque, marine Quarters, Lokoja witnessed several Islamic scholars from far and near.
The Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, and former commissioner for Health, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali who was the Chairman of the occasion said declaration of public holiday on Hijrah day celebration will enable Muslims in the state to enjoy the celebration.
He recalled that the former governor and immediate past minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbeshola kick-started the declaration of Hijrah day as public holiday in Osun state and thereby urged Kogi State Government to to do the same in the state.
Alhaji Suleman Baba Ali further said some states like Oyo, Kebbi,Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Kwara, Zamfara, Osun Declares Hijrah day as Public Holiday, urging Kogi State Government to do the same in the near future.
He advised Muslims to be more familiar with the lunar calendar to enable them to partake in important Islamic events and activities.
The period of the Islamic new year should be used for sober reflection of the countless favours bestowed on us by the Almighty God. Thank God for the favour, also to prepare ourselves for redoubling our efforts and commitment in serving God and Humanity””
“People should use the period to reflect and live their lives based on the teachings of Islam and practice of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
“During this occasion, it is expected that all public servants and the entire people of the State will also pray to Almighty Allah for continued protection and guidance of our leaders,” it said.
On the award bestowed on him by the forum, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali said ” It is a great honor for me to receive this special award. I would like to thank all of you who believe in me and joined me in this unforgettable journey, I express my heartfelt delight to all that enabled me to achieve this goal”, he said
The event was also marked with a lecture with the theme : ‘ The Effects of Social Media and the causes of other moral Decadence’. The lecturer, Mallam Mansur Tanko Nayashi warned against divisive tendencies within Muslims in the state and Nigeria and also cautioned against heating up the polity on social media.
Nayashi advised that Media hates speech should be avoided, saying that all information should be confirmed before sending on social media especially when it concern Islam.
He however urged Muslims brothers and sisters to be involved in establishing media houses, adding that Majority of those that owned the media houses in Nigeria are not Muslims, According to him, ” this pose a serious challenge to Muslim brothers and sisters in the world”, he stressed.
