Date: 2021-08-02

The Muslims in Kwara have called on Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq to declare this year's new Islamic calendar (Hijrah 1443), a work-free day.

The Chairman of the National Hijrah Committee, Kwara chapter, Prof. Yusuf Lanre-Badmus, made the appeal in Ilorin on Sunday while addressing newsmen on preparations put in place for a hitch-free celebration in the state.

The new Islamic calendar of 1443 begins on Monday (Aug. 9).

Bedmus, who is a Don with the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Ilorin, urged the governor to emulate his counterparts in some neighbouring states who had always declared a public holiday to mark the event.

According to him, the declaration of a work-free day would enable Muslim public servants to participate in the celebration.

Represented by the secretary of the committee, Malam Imam Abubakar, he said arrangements had been concluded to commemorate the first day of the Islamic calendar, not only in Ilorin but at the headquarters of all the 16 local government areas of the state.

He, therefore, advised Muslim parents to inculcate the moral teachings of Islam in their children right from an early age as well as the use of the Islamic calendar.

"The beginning of the Islamic calendar is a landmark. Muslims should be conversant with the Islamic calendar.

"They should also allow the teachings of Islam reflect in their conduct," Badmus said.

The representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, at the event, the Makama of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Oniye, urged Muslims in the state to continue to live peacefully with their neighbours.

He also called on Nigerians to embrace peace, saying that development can be achieved only in a peaceful atmosphere.

"No meaningful development could be attained in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony, Nigeria must remain an indivisible entity," the traditional ruler said.