By Musa Tanimu
A chieftain of the ruling APC in kogi state,Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali, has appealed to governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to declare first month of Muharram a public holiday for Muslim ummah.
Ali who holds the traditional title of Gabi of Lokoja and matawaIle Arewan Nupe,made the appealed at 1445 Hijrah Commemorations lecture, organised by Kogi State Muslim Organisations (KOMO) in Lokoja on Wednesday.
He said the declaration of 1st day of Muharram which marks the beginning of islamic New calendar year by the federal government wouldn’t infringe on the fundamental rights of any Nigerian.
“Delectation of every 1st month of Muharram as public holiday for Muslim community by the federal government or states, wouldn’t infringe on anybody’s right,but failure to do so is an infringement on the fundamental right of Muslim community as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended” he said.
He therefore called on governors to emulate Gov.Seyi Makinde, who declared today, Wednesday 1st of Muharram as public holiday in Oyo state.
Baba Ali who spoke on the significants of Muharram in Islam said: “Hijrah (immigration to Medina), no doubt, kindled the light of hope in the hearts of the early Muslims who set a shining example for all Muslims, in every generation, to emulate. It symbolises a new beginning.
So, it is my prayer that all Muslims in Kogi State and the country will experience positive improvements and progress as the Hijrah 1445 AH begins.” he Prayed.
According to him, the essence of Hijrah is that it is a process of transfer to a better situation, a search for an environment more favourable to continuous and constructive effort.
He noted that Muslims are expected to follow lessons taught by Prophet Muhammad following his immigration to Medina.
“The Holy Prophet, following his immigration to Medina, taught a lot of lessons including worship to God, brotherhood, good neighbourliness and good welfare for the people, among others.
Hijrah, according to him teaches that wherever Muslims go, they should bring goodness to that land stressing that Muslims should work for both moral and material goodness of the society.
Ali, who donated N1 million while Unveiling the 1445 Hijrah calender, commended KOSMO for organising the event.
Highlights of this year’s ceremony includes: Award presentation to Hon. Sulaiman Baba ali for making significant contributions towards the propagation of Islam,a lecture,with the theme:
Effects of social media and causes of other moral decadence” delivered by Ustaz Mansur Nayashi and unveiling of the 1445 AH, calendar by the chairman, Hon Suleiman Baba Ali.
The ceremony was attended by Alhaji Zakari Abubakar Ola, Member representing Lokoja 1 Constituency, Hon. Tijjani Bin-Ebiya Shehu, Coordinator ICC for Ododo,Engineer Sagir Abdulsalam, Chairman JNI Kogi state, Ambassador Usman Bello,Chief Imam of Lokoja, Sheikh Muhammadu Aminu Sha’aban,justices of Shari’a court of appeal ,retired serving Grand Khadis of Kogi state and host of others.
PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT.
