Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Others Declare Monday Public Holiday – Here’s Why

Several Governors in Nigeria have officially declared Monday, July 8, a public holiday to celebrate the beginning of the new Islamic year, 1st Muharram 1446 AH.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Muharram marks the first lunar month in the Islamic calendar.

Hence, Muslims observe the first day of the Islamic year on the first day of Muharram.

All religious duties, like prayer, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage, as well as the dates of important events like Eid are celebrated based on the Islamic calendar.

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, on Friday, declared Monday, July 8, 2024, as a public holiday to commemorate the new Islamic year.

Adeleke, in a statement released through the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Rasheed Aderibigbe, and published on the Ministry of Information bulletin on Friday, stated that the holiday is to allow Muslims in the state to celebrate the new Islamic year.

The statement added that Governor Ademola Adeleke would preside over a special parade/March session as part of the activities to celebrate the new year.

While wishing Muslims a happy celebration, the governor charged them to use the period to pray for the unity and peaceful development of the state and Nigeria in general.

Earlier, the Oyo State Governor Engineer Seyi Makinde had also declared Monday as public holiday to celebrate the new Islamic year.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, saying that the state government acknowledged the significance of Hijrah in the lives of its Muslim residents.

“Monday, July 8, 2024, has been declared a work-free day to mark the Hijrah, which signifies Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD,” Oyelade said.

The commissioner emphasised that this day is a gesture of respect and solidarity with the Muslim community. He called on all residents to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in Oyo State and Nigeria.

Other states that have declared Monday as a public holiday are, Kwara, Kebbi, Jigawa.

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