The Borno Government has declared Monday a public holiday in recognition of the Islamic New Year according to the Hijrah calendar.
Acting Governor Alhaji Umar Kadafur announced that Monday would be observed as a public holiday throughout the state. Kadafur explained that the decision honors the Islamic New Year, which begins on the first day of the month of Muharram.
He noted that the public holiday aims to provide the Muslim community with the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the Hijrah and to celebrate the Islamic New Year in a spirit of unity and devotion. The Hijrah marks the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
Muharram is also one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar, as ordained by Allah (SWT) in the Holy Quran.
The acting governor extended his best wishes to Muslims in Borno and around the world, expressing hope for a peaceful, harmonious, and productive new Islamic year. He urged the Muslim Ummah to uphold values of moderation, piety, tolerance, respect, dignity, and patriotism, which resonate universally.
Kadafur also encouraged Muslims to coexist peacefully with followers of other faiths, fostering bonds of fraternity, generosity, and mercy that unite humanity.
