The Kebbi government has declared Monday a public holiday to celebrate the beginning of a new Islamic calendar.
Auwal Manu-Dogondaji, the state commissioner for establishment, announced the holiday in a statement on Friday.
Manu-Dogondaji said 1st of muharram, the new Islamic year, is usually celebrated on Sunday.
He said the Nasir Idris-led Kebbi government moved the holiday to Monday due to the significance of the new Islamic year.
Historically, the 1st of muharram marks the moment the prophet migrated from Makkah to Yathrib (now called Madinah).
The migration is called hijra in Arabic.
The commissioner congratulated all Muslims on the arrival of the new Islamic calendar.
He urged the Muslim community to continue to offer fervent prayers for the peace, security and prosperity of the state and the country as a whole.
“I extend the congratulation of the governor to the entire Muslim Ummah across the globe,” the commissioner added.
