Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has declared Monday 2nd Muharram 1441 AH (2nd September 2019) as Work -Free day in the State.
A statement signed by Abba Wada Waziri, Permanent secretary Establishment, for Head of Service, explained that the holiday was in commemoration of the new Islamic calendar marking the 1st Day of Muharram 1441 AH equivalent to Sunday 1st September 2019.
Ganduje enjoined the public officers and civil servants to utilise the work-free day and pray for peace, stability as well as the progress of the stare and the nation at large.
Islam calendar has 12 months like its Gregorian counterpart, namely Al Muharram, Al Safar, Rabiu- Awwal, Rabiu’uth-Thani, Jimadal-Ula, Jimadal-Akhira, Rajab, Sha’aban, Ramadan, Shawwal, and Zul-Qadah with each month comprising either 29 or 30 days.
Faithful across Nigeria send text messages to remind themselves of the importance of the day, as prayers for peace dominated the messages to loved ones.
Although the Federal Government, under the secular arrangement, did not recognise the new year in Islam, several state governments in the north have already declared Monday as work-free day to enable Muslims celebrate and reflect on significant of the day.