THESHIELD Garkuwa
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Ahead of the upcoming Islamic New Year celebration in 2023, known as Muharram, which marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, a team of Northern Christian Clerics extends their warm wishes to all Muslims across the 36 states of the federation, including Africa and the Arab world, as they prepare to celebrate the arrival of the new Islamic Year.
They urge Muslims to intensify prayers for peace and unity not only in the country but also in West Africa and the world at large. Pastor Yohanna Buru conveyed this message when a team of Muslim youths and scholars visited him at his residence in Sabon Tasha, a southern part of Kaduna predominantly inhabited by Christians.
The purpose of the visit was to foster friendly relationships with him and other Christian youth organizations in the area, promoting peacebuilding. It is worth noting that this visit coincides with the celebration of World International Friendship Day on July 30th, 2023.
Pastor Buru, known for sending thousands of peace messages through his Facebook page and social media every year on Islamic New Year, emphasized the importance of these messages in promoting peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance among Muslims and Christians.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Calendar and the start of the new Islamic year, holds great significance for Muslims. Buru encourages Muslims to engage in religious activities during this sacred month, also known as the Hijri and the “Month of Allah.”
Pastor Buru extends his heartfelt wishes for a joyous Islamic New Year celebration to every Muslim in the state and around the world. He also urges residents of the state to continue living harmoniously and peacefully, promoting tolerance and understanding, in support of the government’s mission to foster peace and unity among its citizens.
Buru acknowledges that this year’s Muharram celebrations, beginning on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023, coincide with the high cost of living. In light of this, he calls on Nigerians to demonstrate tolerance, forgiveness, and support the government’s efforts in addressing all forms of ethno-religious, political, and regional differences that disrupt peace and stability in the country.
Furthermore, Buru emphasizes the shared values between Muslims and Christians, highlighting their common belief in one God, the importance of religious texts such as the Holy Bible and Qur’an, and their shared vision of paradise, hell, and the Day of Resurrection. He expresses his hope to join Muslims in their celebration to promote religious tolerance and forgiveness.
Buru appeals to Muslims to remember the less-privileged in society, encouraging assistance to orphans, widows, and orphanages. He also calls on Muslims and Christians to engage in ceaseless prayers for an end to the security challenges that affect peace, stability, and economic development.
Additionally, he requests the federal government to declare every day of the new Islamic Calendar as a holiday, allowing Muslims to celebrate their day with joy and happiness. Buru mentions that some states in Nigeria have already declared the day a holiday for their citizens to celebrate in a special manner.
The sighting of the new moon of Muharram will mark the end of the Islamic lunar calendar 1444 and the beginning of the New Year 1445 After Hijrah. Buru congratulates prominent figures such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Sheick Dahiru Bauchi, Sheick Ibrahim Yakubu Elzazzaky, Sheick Halliru Maraya, Sheik Ahmed Mahmud Gumi, and others on the occasion.
Similarly, Pastor John Joseph of the Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Sabon Tasha emphasizes the importance of peace and harmony in southern Kaduna and Nigeria as a whole. He emphasizes the unity of all people under God and encourages strengthening relationships for peace and harmony in the country.
In response, the Reverend and Evangelist of the Christ Evangelical Church in Kaduna, along with other Christian leaders, expresses the need for Muslims and Christian youth leaders to refrain from hate speeches and encourages them to live in peace and harmony with each other.
Mallam Gambo Abdullahi Barnawa, a youth leader in the state, emphasizes that the celebration of the Islamic New Year is not limited to Muslims alone but extends to all of humanity. He expresses gratitude to the Christian leaders for sending SMS messages to Muslim youths, congratulating them on the new Islamic Year.
Barnawa acknowledges Pastor Yohanna Buru and other pastors for visiting Muslims during Eid al-Kabir prayers and for their assistance in clearing grass for Muslims to pray. He also appreciates Buru for the distribution of foodstuffs to thousands of poor Muslims during Ramadan. He prays for the continued strengthening of Christian-Muslim relationships for peace and unity in northern Nigeria.
Al-Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, holds significant importance for the faithful. They are instructed by the Prophet of Islam to observe voluntary fasting on the 9th and 10th days of the month, known as Tashua and Ashurah, respectively.
One of the significant events celebrated during this period is the day when Prophet Moses was saved by God from the Pharaoh of Egypt, allowing his people to cross the Red Sea.
The President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, urges Muslim faithful to watch out for the new moon of Muharram 1445 AH on Monday, July 17th, 2023, equivalent to the 29th of Dhul Hijja, 1444 AH. Any sightings of the crescent moon should be reported to the nearest district or village heads for communication to the Sultan of Sokoto through the Sultanate Council Sokoto’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs.
