Hijrah 1445: Makinde declares Wednesday public holiday

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared Wednesday, July 19 as
public holiday in the state in commemoration of Hijrah 1445 of the Islamic calendar.

The piece of information is in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,
Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju in Ibadan on Tuesday.

He stated that the announcement was made in a circular signed by the governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr Segun Ogunwuyi.

Makinde, therefore, congratulated Muslims on the commencement of the new year and enjoined them to use
the occasion to pray for peace, unity and sustainability of the state in particular and the country in general.

Our correspondent reports that Wednesday, the first day of Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar) 1445 After Hijrah (AH), is the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar.

The calendar, which has 12 months, is used by Muslims around the world to determine the timing of important
religious observations such as Ramadan and Hajj.

The first year of the Islamic calendar started in 622 CE when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his followers migrated
from Makkah to Madina to start a new life. The migration is called Hijrah. The Islamic year is then given as AH,
which means After Hijrah.