Hijrah :Ogun Muslim Council Wants Gov Abiodun To Declare 1st Of Muharram As Public Holiday

Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has renewed its call on Governor Dapo Abiodun  to emulate governors in other states including Osun, Oyo and Kwara who have declared Monday July 8 as a public holiday , ahead of the new slamic year, Hijrah 1446 A.H

The call  was coming on the heels  of a commemorative rally being organized by 

National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO) on Sunday, 7th July, 2024, to mark the beginning of the Islamic calendar,1st of  Muharram 

The Secretary-General of the State Muslim Council, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde Esq in a statement  made available to Edu-Biznews on Friday, urged Abiodun whom the council described as Islam-friendly and caring Governor, to issue an "Executive Order" or make a pronouncement to this effect as a gesture of fairness and recognition of Muslims' rights under the Nigerian legal system.

The organization enjoined Muslims in the country to be conscious of their obligations and duties to their Creator, the Almighty Allah, by being righteous and more committed to the cause of their faith and service to humanity, which are meritorious acts of faith.

The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) in a commemorative statement emphasized the need for Muslims to abide by the salient teachings of their faith by being virtuous, upright, and exemplary, among other dignified etiquettes.

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona led the Council in the commemorative statement, pointing out that the significance of Hijrah, which is the migration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah in 622 A.D., lies in eschewing or renouncing obscene and unwholesome attitudes and practices and reincarnating in being upright, ethical, and steadfast.

OMC  in the statement noted that "righteousness exalts a nation," exhorting Nigerians to be patriotic and committed to national goals.

It reminded Muslims of the Prophetic saying that "the love of one's country is an act of faith," asking the faithful to embrace this axiom or noble saying for the betterment of society and in attaining national goals and development.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has charged governments and stakeholders in the health sector to intensify efforts in controlling the Cholera outbreak in some parts of the country.

It stated that Cholera is caused by the ingestion of water and food contaminated by faeces and enjoined the public to take water from safe sources and avoid exposed foods and fruits to break the route of transmission.

"While they must equally embrace, adopt, and practice hygiene and sanitation to avoid contracting the Cholera disease and for their health promotion, maintenance, and the prevention of water and food-related diseases," the statement concluded.

Similarly, the OMC lauded the Federal Government's initiative to combat the Cholera epidemic and eliminate "open defecation" by the year 2025.

It noted Thursday's inauguration of a Steering Committee for the "Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet" campaign by Vice President Kashim Shettima as a pragmatic step to arrest the menace of Cholera and other waterborne diseases.

The Council also advocated for the return of National Sanitation Day as a valued health programme that will influence behavioral change, prevent diseases, and prolong life.