Why Muslims are asking for a public holiday

Today marks the

This is according to the Islamic calendar known as Al-Hijra. In light of this, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria is urging the Federal Government to make this a work-free day.

Daily Trust reports that the appeal was done in a statement signed by the non-governmental organisation’s National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi.

According to Abdullahi, doing this would give Nigerian Muslims a sense of belonging. While this reason is understandable, not everyone agrees with it.

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One of our Pulse contributors named Aisha Muhammad, a Muslim, falls under the second category. She is of the opinion that there is no reason for a public holiday because the Islamic calendar is not used by the entire country.

In her words, “Personally, I don’t see why there should be a federal government public holiday because we don’t make use of the Islamic calendar in the country as a whole.

However, if northern states declare one it’s understandable because they make use of the sharia law. There are ways we Muslims can celebrate the Islamic New Year and really I don’t think the holiday is necessary for one. My opinion.”

She has been supported by another Muslim named Ibrahim Jamal. Like Aisha, he thinks this is unnecessary.

He says, “Declaring Muharram as a public holiday is not asking for too much but why should everything be attached to a public holiday in Nigeria?

“Public holidays should not be a priority here. There are lessons to derive from this month and I expect us to create awareness about those rewarding deeds expected of us in the month rather than asking the government to make it a public holiday when the calendar is not even recognised in the first place.”

He adds, “I think things like this should call for a deep reflection and not unnecessary agitations.”

The statement from the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria also urges everyone to learn to live in peace regardless of the differences in religion. Muslims are advised to stop making provoking statements.

Meanwhile, Osun and Kano states have both declared public holidays, according to Daily Trust. Today was a work-free day for Osun while Friday, September 22, 2017, is the public holiday in Kano.

Oman and the United Arab Emirates, two countries in the Middle East, have also declared today a public holiday.