Thousands of Muslims on Monday converged at the state stadium complex in llorin, Kwara State, to celebrate the commencement of New islamic Year known as Hijrah 1443.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that the annual event, organised by the state chapter of the National Hijrah Committee, featured march past by students of various islamic and Arabic institutes across the 16 local government areas of the state.
NAN also reports that the new islamic year was ushered in with the launch of the 1443AH calendar.
In his remark at the event, the chairman of the state chapter of the National Hijrah Committee, Prof. Badmus Lanre-Yusuf, advised religious leaders in the country to refrain from inciting people against one another.
Lanre-Yusuf, who is a don at the Department of islamic studies, University of llorin, also cautioned the faithful against unlawful acts.
The chairman also called on the Kwara Government to ensure full enforcement of the laws prohibiting the sale of human parts, and sale and consumption of alcohol in some parts of the state.
“This in our opinion is achievable through the setting up of monitoring and enforcement agency that will see to the implementation of the laws,” he said.
“Furthermore, the state government is enjoined to empower the vigilante groups to enhance the security of the state,” the don said.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq praised the Muslims for cohabiting peacefully with the adherents of other faiths in the state.
He urged them to continue in that direction and congratulated them for witnessing the commencement of another Islamic calendar.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, emphasised the need for peaceful co- existence amongst people of the state, irrespective of religion and ethnic affiliations.
NAN reports that the celebration of the new islamic year was witnessed by some top government functionaries and people from all walks of life.
(NAN)
