The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted the Federal Government (FG) for failing to declare a public holiday for this year’s Hijrah Day, marking the Islamic New Year 1447, which fell on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The organization described the inaction as a missed golden opportunity and a failure to act in loco parentis as the central authority.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 30, 2025, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC expressed deep disappointment, noted that while several states across Nigeria both in the North and South honoured the day with public holidays, the FG opted out, merely issuing a statement without concrete action.
“By failing to declare the first day of the Islamic calendar as a holiday, FG not only missed the golden opportunity to be part of the day’s glamour, not only failed to manifest unreserved goodwill, but also failed to act in loco parentis by leading the declaration of the freedom day,” the statement read in part.
MURIC noted the irony of the current administration’s inaction despite being led by a Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying the expectation from the Muslim electorate was high.
The group listed stated that declared a holiday to mark the occasion, including Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara. However, it decried the lack of coordination, as some states observed the holiday on Thursday while others chose Friday, attributing the disparity to the absence of federal leadership on the matter.
“This disparity and lack of harmony can only be blamed on FG. Had FG made a declaration, the states would have fallen in line,” MURIC stated.
The group went further to accuse the federal government of systemic religious bias, arguing that the same level of national recognition is routinely accorded to the Christian New Year on January 1.
“It is hard to understand a situation whereby an integral part of the Nigerian population, nay, the greater percentage, will engage in an important religious activity to which FG will turn its back… while dancing to the rhythm of the music of a minority religious group,” the statement continued.
MURIC also acknowledged states that honoured the Hijrah holiday, especially Osun and Oyo in the South-West, and criticized Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo States for failing to do the same. The Ogun State Government, in particular, was accused of denying Muslim youth access to a state-owned facility for their celebration.
Referencing a call from the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), led by its National President, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the statement reinforced the demand for fairness and recognition, similar to that accorded other religious groups.
In conclusion, Professor Akintola urged Nigerian Muslims to continue advocating peacefully for their rights, in line with MURIC’s motto of “Dialogue, Not Violence.”
“We urge Nigerian Muslims to remain good ambassadors of Islam by embracing non-violence like MURIC in the pursuit of all their lofty goals, particularly the Hijrah holiday. We will not give up because it is not over until it is over. Aluta continua, Victoria ascerta. No retreat, no surrender.”
