The Government of Osun on Saturday joined other Muslim faithful all over the world to celebrate the commencement of another Muslim year, Hijrah 1436.
The governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the Hijrah celebration tagged “Building an ideal Islamic home” at the Osogbo Township stadium, declared Monday a public holiday in the state for muslims to commemorate the muslim new year 1436.
Aregbesola said Hijrah is compulsory, bringing Muslims closer to what Allah has called them to do on the use of Sun and the moon in counting days.
He reiterated that Islam is not a religion of violence, but peace. Every Muslim must be aware of the teaching of the Prophet on the need to shun wickedness.
The governor added that Muslims must not be found in any act that will tarnish Islam. “There is no basis for anybody or groups to hide under Islam to perpetrate evil.
“Islam is not a religion of violence, any person, group or sects who indulge in violence or its associated vices are not followers of Islam, they are wicked and not good examples of Islam.
“Islam preaches, love, peace, cleanliness, good attitude towards our neighbour and that every believer must be a good example of the faith.
“If Islam preaches all these afore-mentioned, how can we now equate the violence being perpetrated in some parts of the country as Islam”. The governor pointed out.
Earlier at the Oke-bale central praying ground, the Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheikh Musa Animasaun noted that the Islamic calender is very important to every Muslim as being commanded by Allah.
He commended the Aregbesola led administration for observing what he described as religious justice through the freedom given to the people of the state to practise their religions freely without intimidation.
According to him, “I want to use the occasion of this year Hijra to praise the governor for granting a public holiday for the celebration of Hijra 1436, may Allah reward him abundantly with the way he has been administering the affairs of Osun without bias to any religion”. The Osogbo clergy noted.
He urged muslims to move closer to Allah and adhere to the will and injunctions Allah as laid down by Prophet Muhammed.
Governor Aregbesola who made his points in reference to chapter 9, verse 36-37 and chapter 3, verse 410 of the Holy Quran submitted that good character, attitude, behaviour are the attributed virtues and qualities of muslims, adding that what differentiate muslims from non-muslims were good conduct and comportment towards circumstances coupled with high sense of tolerance and perseverance to socio-political and economic life.
Aregbesola therefore implored the Islamic Clerics not to rest on their oars in educating, sensitizing, orientating and enlightening their followers on need to be more intimated and conversant to the will, commandments and injunctions of God as being written in the holy Quran.
While delivering his lecture, Ustas Abdul-Rasheed Abdul-Jabar enjoined muslims to always be conscious about the life after death and be prepared for the day of ressurection, adding that every muslim must see the home beyond, that is, paradise as a task on earth which can only be the reward for those who do good and obey the instructions of Allah without substitution.
Former Spearker, State of Osun House of Assembly who was the Chairman of the occassion, Professor AbdulMajid Alabi in his goodwill message expressed profound gratitude to Allah for making the event a reality as well as for sparing the lives of all the participants to witness this year 1436A.H Hijrah celebration.
Highlights of the epoch event includes match-pass parade by various schools.
