Governor Aregbesola declares public holiday to mark Islamic New Year

The Osun State government yesterday declared today a public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year (Hijrah 1437).

The Governor, through a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the declaration is in line with the usual practice of the state government to declare holiday for Muslims to observe the important Islamic calendar date.

It said the day marked the first month (Muharram) of the Islamic calendar.


It advised workers and citizens of the state to pray for continued peace and prosperity of the state.

The government urged the people of the state to reflect and live their lives based on the teachings of Islam and practice of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

It also urged the people to continue to be law abiding and shun any acts that could cause breach of the peace in the state.

The Hijri New Year, also known as Islamic New Year is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year, and is the day on which the year count is incremented. The first day of the year is observed on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. The first Islamic year beginning in 622 AD during which the emigration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijra.