Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has enjoined Muslims to eschew unhealthy rivalry and anti-social behaviour capable of causing crisis in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, a media aide to the governor on Saturday in Osogbo, to felicitate with Muslims on the occasion of the new Hijrah (calendar), year 1438 AH.

The governor said in the new year, Muslims should strive, as part of what Allah commanded them, to internalise the lessons of the essence of the Hijrah as exemplified by uncommon patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the face of hardship.

The governor noted that the occasion was a vivid reminder of what Hijrah represented in the lives of Muslims, saying Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emigrated from Makkah to Madinah in 622 A. D. after the people of Makkah stressed his patience beyond its limit.

“As we celebrate the Hijrah this year, we should not let its real lesson, that of patience with steadfastness be lost on us.

“We say congratulations and happy New Year and we pray the Almighty Allah to grant the Ummah the opportunity of this celebration many years ahead and preserve Nigeria for us as a single, united, peaceful and progressive nation.

“We must remind ourselves that the role of the Muslim Ummah in the celebration of Hijrah year is to emulate the patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“The Prophet’s endurance and steadfastness eventually paid off in Madinah where he established an Islamic State which was based on truth and justice, which many nations of the world now emulate.

“We, therefore, use this medium to call on the Ummah to have spirit of forgiveness, promote peace and love; eschew rancour and bitterness; and be just and sincere.

“We equally call on the Ummah to be steadfast in promoting the message and virtues of Islam in this trying and challenging time of the Nigerian nationhood.

“We also reiterate our call to the Muslim faithful to seek for Allah’s intervention in the economic challenges and insecurity threatening the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lunar month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic calendar, begins on Oct. 3.

The Islamic year started counting in 622 AD after the emigration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola had adopted the day as official public holiday in the state on Nov. 15, 2012 and subsequently declared Oct. 3 as a public holiday in the state. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Aregbesola.

Update news