Ogun State Muslim Council urges Governor Abiodun to declare Muharram 1st as Public Holiday
The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has called on Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun to make the first day of every Islamic year, 1st Muharram, as a work-free day, as known with his counterparts in Oyo, Osun, and Kwara states
Penpushing reports that the Secretary-General of the body Kamaldeen Akintunde, made the appeal at a ceremony organized by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO) to mark the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
The Islamic leader emphasized that the renew for the call became necessary, describing the Governor as Islam-friendly and caring, urging him (Abiodun) 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.
Penpushing further reports that 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 Council 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.
Penpushing reports that the Secretary-General in a statement noted that righteousness exalts a nation, exhorting Nigerians to be patriotic and committed to national goals, as well as reminding Muslims of the Prophetic saying that the love of one’s country is an act of faith.
The Islamic leader enjoined the faithful to embrace this axiom or noble, saying for the betterment of society and in attaining national goals and development, as the council charged governments and stakeholders in the health sector to intensify efforts in controlling the Cholera outbreak in some parts of the country
Penpushing also reports that the statement 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 reads
Penpushing reports that in similar vein, the council Similarly, lauded the Nigerian Government’s initiative to combat the Cholera epidemic and eliminate open defecation by the year 2025, noting that 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 similarly advocated for the return of National Sanitation Day as a valued health programme that will influence behavioral change, prevent diseases, and prolong life.
Meanwhile, 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.
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