FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Adha

By KEMI KASUMU

The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Adha celebration.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, disclosed this in a statement on Friday June 14, 2024.

The PS said the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, and congratulated all Muslim Ummah both at ho]me and in the Diaspora on this occasion.

“He called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of our country,” the statement read.

“The Minister assured that the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-ul- Adha celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to our children.”

On June 7, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Sunday June 16, as Eid-el-Kabir day after affirming that Friday is the first day of Dhul Hijjah.

Sultan disclosed this in a statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Sambo Junaid, in Sokoto State.

“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with Nigeria’s Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings.

“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country also wishes all Muslims a Happy Eid-El-Kabir. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds, amen”, the Sultanate council said in the statement.

In a latest Sallah message titked, “Sultan of Sokoto Nigeria, greets world pilgrims, Muslims on Arafat, Eid-el-Adha”, by his Media Team on Friday June 14, Sultan of Sokoto and Co-President of World Religions for Peace Headquarters, New York, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, was said to have sent his word of felicitation to Muslims from all over the world, who are gathered in Minna in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from this Friday June 14, 2024 equivalent to Dhul-Hijjah 8, 1445 AH, preparatory for Arafat, the main core of Hajj rites, on Saturday June 15 equivalent to Dhul-Hijjah 9, 1445 AH.

Wishing them a Hajj Mabrur that is an exercise acceptable and worthy of reward from Allah, the Sultan urged the over a million Muslim pilgrims to use their period on and around Mount Arafat on Saturday to pray for the peace of the world.

In a statement by his Media Team dated Saturday June 14, 2024 and circulated to the press in Nigeria, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, who is the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), asked for the pilgrims in the Holy Land to pray for good and God-fearing leaders to lead the affairs of respective nations around the globe including African continent and Nigeria so that the creatures of Allah under their care will live secured lives devoid of hunger and hardship.

The Sultan, who congratulated both the pilgrims and Muslims who are not performing Hajj but celebrating Eid-el-Adha, prayed that all nations of the world will be free from the evils of terrorism, barbarism and various diseases that are inimical to the progress and development of global environment.

He particularly prayed for the peace of Palestine and Nigeria, while expressing confidence that, “If all of us can shun evils, fear Allah and do what is right all the times, our nation Nigeria, continent of Africa and our world of man will be better and great again,” the Sultan said.

The multifaceted leader, who also occupies positions of Co-Chairman, Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), and the National Traditional Rulers Council (NTRCN), laid more emphasis on Nigeria’s peace, stability, development and progress, even as he asks both pilgrims and Sallah celebrants for special prayers for leaders at all levels in the country.