Hijirah 1448: Osun Muslim Leaders Seek National Recognition For Hijrah Holiday, Call For Peace Ahead of Governorship Election

Muslim leaders in Osun State have called for greater recognition of the Islamic Hijrah calendar in Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to declare the Islamic New Year a national public holiday.

The call was made during a press conference addressed as part of the activities marking the new Hijrah year, (Hijrah 1448AH) where Islamic clerics and community leaders highlighted the spiritual and social significance of the Islamic calendar to Muslims.

Speaking, the President of the Osun Muslim Community, Sheikh Mustapha Adeleke Olawuyi, said the Hijrah calendar remains central to Islamic worship and rituals, stressing that Muslims rely on it for major religious obligations including Ramadan fasting and Hajj pilgrimage.

“We are not imposing it on anybody. We only want people to be aware that Muslims have their own calendar that they follow,” Olawuyi said.

According to him, while Christians and adherents of other religions are allowed to celebrate their own religious calendars, Muslims also deserve official recognition of Hijrah celebrations beyond state-level declarations.

“It should not be limited to states declaring one day a holiday. Let it go to the federal level that Hijrah day must be a work-free day for everyone as well,” he stated.

Olawuyi explained that the Islamic calendar determines several aspects of worship in Islam, including fasting periods and other religious observances.

“The Ramadan fast is based on the Hijrah calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. Without Hijrah, Muslims cannot determine the ninth month which is Ramadan,” he added.

The Muslim leader also used the occasion to appeal for peaceful conduct before, during and after the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

He warned against political violence and urged residents to allow peace to prevail regardless of political differences.

“Anybody that wins, that is the wish of Almighty Allah. Let people go out and vote for whoever they like and let the result be fair,” Olawuyi said.

He also cautioned security operatives and political actors against actions capable of causing unrest in the state, stressing the need for a peaceful and credible election process.

“There has to be no violence before, during and after the election. We don’t want an election that will become inconclusive,” he added.

Chairman of the 2026 Hijrah Committee in Osun State, Sheikh Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, said the spiritual essence of Hijrah goes beyond a change in calendar year.

According to him, Hijrah symbolises a transition from wrongdoing to righteousness and encourages peaceful coexistence in society.

“When we talk of Hijrah, the deep meaning is that you move from bad to good, from evil to a peaceful and godly way of life,” Olayanju stated.

He lamented the growing level of moral decline and social tension in society, urging residents to embrace peace, tolerance and moral uprightness.

Another member of the Muslim community, Okunnola Abdulateef, described Hijrah as a moment of reflection and renewal for Muslims.

He said the occasion reminds adherents of the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina and encourages believers to improve spiritually and morally.

“Hijrah is a time to reflect on your life and seek ways to become a better person,” Abdulateef said.

Meanwhile, part of the programme lined up for this year Hijrah celebrations including but not limited to a colloquium with the topic: “Political Intolerant and Attendant Problems”, to be moderated by Alhaji Imam Raji Musa Oladapo. Discussants are ; Malam Ishaq muhammad jamiu, Barrister Mrs Fatima Olayanju, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the colloquium is billed to come up on June 15 at OSMC.

“June 16 : Youth Forum -topic: Youth and Negative Doctrine
Lecturer: Misbaodeen Afolabi Orimadegun

July 17: Hijirah Celebration
Theme: Islam and Politics : a case study of Umaru Bin Abdulazeez : an exemplary character

Guest Lecturer- Engineer Taofeek Adekunle
Venue: Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo.”