Islamic New Year: Osun Govt declares Thursday,September 21 public holiday

Islamic New Year: Osun Govt declares Thursday,September 21 public holiday

   The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has declared Thursday, September 21, 2017 Islamic New Year: public holiday
   A statement signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa said Thursday, September 21, 2017 is the New Islamic Year 1439 AH.
   Baderinwa said Governor Aregbesola wishes every Muslims in the state and across the world a happy New Year
celebration and enjoined residents of the state to continue living harmoniously and peacefully with tolerance and understanding.
   He said the Islamic year started counting in 622 AD after the emigration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in
Saudi Arabia.
“Governor Rauf Aregbesola had adopted the day as official
public holiday in the state on November 15, 2012.
“Governor Aregbesola wished Muslims in the state and
across the world a happy New Year celebration and enjoined
residents of the state to continue living harmoniously and
peacefully with tolerance and understanding.
“The governor said as Muslims enter a New Year, they must
not only celebrate but also strive, as part of what Allah
commands them, 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.
“The Governor expressed the hope that the new year would
usher the state into another era of economic prosperity,
stability and peace.
“Governor Aregbesola specifically charges Muslims and
other people of the state to imbibe the lessons of the Hijrah
by leaving sinful and malfeasance practices that have been
constituting stumbling block to the progress of the state and
Nigeria for a new life and conduct that will add value to the
state and the country.
“The governor advised the people to use the new Islamic
Year for their spiritual development.
“Governor Aregbesola call on the Muslim faithful to
intensify prayers for the nation against all manners of
afflictions that we seem to be currently undergoing in term of
economic hardship, and insecurity, praying for Allah’s
intervention.”