The Former SA on Islamic Affairs to Oyo State Governor, Imam Dr. Abdul Rasheed AbdulAzeez, has commended the state governor for declaring holiday to mark the Islamic New Year.
Imam, in a statement personally signed on Wednesday, stated that the governor has kept fulfilling his promise made since year 2021 that holiday would be declared to mark the day.
He appreciated the governor for recognising the significance of the Islamic New Year, which marks the beginning of Muharram 1445AH, adding that the governor chose the exact date to mark the new Islamic year.
The former aide, who equally congratulated and wished the entire Muslim ummah a happy celebration of the new Islamic calendar, noted that the governor has always shown he is a staunch lover of Islam.
The statement said: “In commemoration of Hijrah 1445 AH Islamic New Year for all Muslims, Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, ‘Seyi Makinde, has done tremendously well in declaring today, Wednesday, as a public holiday throughout the state.
“I can remember that the governor, in 2021, during State Mawlud Nabiyy celebration promised that there will be an holiday to celebrate the hijrah annually. There is a unique thing about the date, which governor chose for the holiday. It actually tallies with the divine day that hijrah day should be observed.
“There are some states in the country that did not pick the exact date but, as a Pacesetter state, the governor has been picking the exact date since 2021 when the declaration was made to be marking the new Islamic year.
“Another plus to the celebration in Oyo State is that, there are different activities that characterise the day and make it colourful. We hold Hijrah luncheon where people will be given different gift items to commemorate the day every year.
“So, this has shown to the world that the governor is a lover of Islamic religion.”
