Category: Religion

Saudi Arabia confirms Arafat Day, declares Eid Al-Adha for June 6

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially announced the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent, signifying the beginning of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.   As a result, the Day of Arafah will be observed on Wednesday, June 5, while Eid Al-Adha will be celebrated on Thursday, June 6, 2025, across the Kingdom and the Muslim world.   The announcement followed the court’s earlier call on Muslims to watch for the crescent moon on the 29th of Dhu al-Qa’dah and promptly report any sightings.   To mark…

NAHCON decries screening lapses as pregnant woman delivers baby in Madinah

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed concern over breaches in medical screening protocols that allowed some pregnant women to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage, despite guidelines barring them from doing so due to health risks. Speaking with journalists in Madinah, the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Information, Statistics, and Library Services, Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal, acknowledged the incident involving a female pilgrim from Zamfara State who gave birth in the holy city on Tuesday. Professor Yagawal noted that while such lapses are worrisome, it would be unfair to…

International Children’s Day: In Islam, Everyday Belongs To The Children! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

Wednesday, Dhul-Hijjah 01, 1446 AH (28/05/2025) In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and upon all his family and companions. Dear brothers and sisters! International Children’s Day is a global observance dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of children around the world. This day focuses on ensuring that all children have access to education, healthcare, and protection from harm. It is…

Sultan declares Wednesday, May 28 as First Day of Zulhijja 1446AH

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Wednesday, 28th May 2025, as the first day of Zulhijja 1446 After Hijrah (AH).   This announcement was contained in a press release issued on Tuesday, 27th May 2025, by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.   The declaration signifies the commencement of the Islamic month of Zulhijja, during which Muslims across the…

JUST IN: Saudi Arabia deports Sheikh Gumi, bars him from performing 2025 Hajj

Emporium Reporters

Prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia and prevented from performing the 2025 Hajj.   Sheikh Gumi, who revealed the development via a post on his Facebook page, said although he was granted a visa, Saudi authorities barred him from entering Medina upon arrival for reasons he believes are tied to his political views.   Gumi was part of a delegation of clerics sponsored by the Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and had arrived Medina on Saturday night via Umza Air. However, Saudi immigration denied…

Reflections on the Children’s Celebration Week at Foursquare Gospel Church: A Focus on Spiritual Growth and Family Values

Emporium Reporters

By Afolabi Olajuwon.   This report highlights the climax of the Children’s Week celebrations held on May 25, 2025, at Foursquare Gospel Church in Wuse District Headquarters. The event was characterized by vibrant children’s choir performances and a transformative sermon delivered by Deborah Oresanya.   Her sermon, titled “Growing Like Jesus,” drew from Luke 2:52 and emphasized the multifaceted growth of Jesus as a paradigm for personal development within the Christian faith. This report provides an overview of the key aspects of the sermon and its implications for fostering spiritual…

Muslims Ummah And The Significance Of The First Ten Days Of Dhul-Hijjah By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

Sunday, Dhul-Qa’dah 27th, 1446 AH (25/05/2025) In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and upon all his family and companions. Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, the Islamic calendar is rich with significant months and days that hold great spiritual and religious importance for Muslims worldwide. Among these, Dhul-Hijjah stands out prominently. Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar…

NAHCON nears completion of 2025 Hajj Airlift, 36,359 Pilgrims already in Saudi Arabia

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the successful airlift of 36,359 Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise, with 5,494 pilgrims under the government quota still awaiting airlift. According to the Commission, airlift operations are in the final phase, with Air Peace expected to conclude its Hajj flights on Friday, May 24, having secured a slot to finalize its operations. UMZA Aviation will also wrap up its airlifts from Kaduna on the same date, with three flights left to complete its…

Friday Sermon: The Important Message On Sacrificing An Animal During Eid-ul-Adha By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful   All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and upon all his family and companions.   To proceed:   Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the islams’s most significant religious holidays. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his beloved son Prophet Isma’il (AS) as an act of…

Islam And Peaceful Coexistence With Non-Muslims By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful   Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. To Allah belong the endowments, befitting perfection, and commendations. I ask Allah to raise the rank of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and to protect his nation (Ummah) from what he fears for it. Thereafter:   Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, the very word Islam etymologically refers to peace and submission to the will of Allah. In that sense Islam is the same as Salam, which is…