By Mumini Abdulkareem
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari, the former Grand Kadi of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdulkadir Orire and other Muslim stakeholders on Sunday in Ilorin, urged the state government to declare the first day of Muharram as public holiday.
They made the call during their addresses at this year’s 1441 Hijrah Day celebration held at the open field of the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin.
Speaking further on the need for the call, the Emir said the issue was long overdue and prayed Almighty Allah to assist authorities concerned to finally actualise it for the state.
Similarly, the former Grand Kadi who is also the Sarkin Malami of Ilorin, Justice Orire noted that such development will afford Muslims in the state the opportunity to engage in optimum devotional activities during the period as obtained in other states in the country.
He mentioned Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara, Osun and Ogun as states that have been observing the first day of Muharram as public holiday in the North Central and Southwest regions of the country.
”Qur’an 9 v 36 ordained Hijrah calendar on Muslims even though the Gregorian calendar was forced on us by the colonial masters”, he submitted.
Orire, condemned the needless controversy over the usage of Hijab by female Muslim pupils in Kwara and other parts of the country, adding that Muslim philanthropists, industrialists and other affluent in the society should invest in Islam to assist the government in the creation of jobs through regular payment of Zakat and Sadaqat.
He further called for the promotion of Islamic education and provision of infrastructural and social amenities.
In his remarks, the Kwara State Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr Yusuf Garuba Manjo called on Kwarans to imbibe the spirit of Hijrah in the arduous task of rebuilding the state, adding that there is need to embrace prudence and selflessness for the greater good of the state.
“I am ready to lead in this regards, I will not abuse public office, I will not mismanage public resources and my action shall be in the best interest of the people.
“The 2019 election represented a sort of Hijrah for the people of Kwara as it marked a paradigm shift in their political history.”
He added that the development meant that things must be done differently to achieve different results.
The event featured March Past by various Islamic schools across the state and was attended by religious leaders, traditional rulers and government functionaries.
