The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has applauded several state governments for declaring a public holiday to mark the commencement of the Islamic New Year, Hijrah 1448 AH, describing the move as a demonstration of religious tolerance and respect for the rights of Muslims.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Executive Director of MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, praised states that observed the holiday and called on the Federal Government to follow suit by officially recognizing the first day of the Islamic calendar as a national public holiday.
According to the Islamic human rights organization, states that declared the holiday included Borno, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Kwara, Niger, and Yobe in the North, as well as Oyo and Osun in the South.
MURIC described the states as “Muslim-friendly and liberal,” noting that their actions reflected the principles of justice, equal rights, and freedom of religion.
The organization explained that Hijrah commemorates the migration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, an event regarded by Muslims as a symbol of freedom from persecution, oppression, and hardship.
Akintola stated that the Hijrah period offers an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and communal solidarity, adding that it is traditionally a time when Muslims pray for peace, unity, prosperity, and national development.
The group argued that official federal recognition of the Islamic New Year would promote inclusivity and demonstrate equal treatment of adherents of different faiths in the country.
MURIC noted that January 1 is annually observed as a public holiday across Nigeria and maintained that the first day of the Islamic calendar equally deserves recognition in a democratic society.
The organization also pointed to discrepancies in the dates chosen by various state governments for the observance, with some declaring June 16 and others June 17 as the holiday.
It contended that a federal declaration would help harmonize the observance nationwide and eliminate confusion over dates.
The group reiterated its longstanding call for the Federal Government to designate the first day of every Islamic year as a national public holiday, insisting that such a move would strengthen the sense of belonging among Nigerian Muslims and further advance religious equity in the country.
MURIC concluded by urging authorities at the federal level to take decisive action on the matter, stressing that the demand has been consistently raised by several Islamic organizations over the years.
