The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has called on the Federal Government to declare the Islamic New Year, also known as Hijrah, a national public holiday.
In a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the association said such a declaration would be in line with the principles of the rule of law, fairness, and justice for millions of Muslims across Nigeria.
MMPN argued that granting a public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year would ensure equity in the recognition of major religious events, noting that Christians in the country enjoy a public holiday on January 1 every year to celebrate the commencement of the Gregorian Calendar.
According to him, extending the same privilege to Muslims would demonstrate inclusiveness and reinforce the government’s commitment to religious harmony and equal treatment of all citizens, irrespective of their faith.
This gesture, he stressed, would give Muslims a sense of belonging in the polity.
“Muharram 1 is our own January 1, we want both the Federal and state governments alike to declare it as such in the interest of religious harmony in the country”, Balogun said.
He implored government at various levels to recognise the Hijrah calendar and use it side by side with the Gregorian calendar.
Balogun congratulated Muslims and non-Muslims alike for witnessing another new Islamic year and urged them to reflect on their deeds and activities during the past year.
He asked Muslims to use the opportunity of the New Year to migrate from their evil ways in the past and renew their commitments for good in the New Islamic Year as well as pray to Allah to guide the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in piloting the affairs of the nation.
The MMPN President also called on the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs to enter into dialogue with the Nigerian Government on the issue and other issues affecting the Muslim Ummah in the country.
He implored Muslims to rededicate themselves to the cause of building an egalitarian society and join hands with other Nigerians in moving the nation forward.
Balogun, however, commended state governors who had declared public holiday for Islamic New Year especially in the Northern part of the country as well as Oyo and Osun states in South West, urging others to emulate their colleagues.
He described series of attacks and killings of innocent Nigerians by some insurgency groups as unIslamic and pleaded with the affected groups to cease fire and stop violence as a demonstration of its readiness to embrace peace.
Balogun equally called for a stringent legislation against rape, kidnapping and all other acts of terrorism in the country, saying it was getting too rampant because the culprits always get away with it.
While wishing all Nigerians happy Islamic New Year, Balogun appealed to all to celebrate in moderation in line with Islamic ethos and situations in the country, praying for an eventful, peaceful and crisis free celebration.