Hijrah 1447: Makinde Calls For Quranic Values To Guide Ummah Amid Global Crisis
*Hijrah 1447: Makinde Calls For Quranic Values To Guide Ummah Amid Global Crisis*
*Announces Donation of N2.5m*
The Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has urged Muslims in Nigeria and across the world to anchor themselves in the teachings of the Qur’an as a means of overcoming the challenges confronting the global community.
Speaking through his Deputy, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal at the Hijrah 1447 Grand Rally held at Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan, on Sunday, the Governor, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on witnessing another Islamic new year, emphasized the significance of Hijrah as a divine journey that laid the foundation for the growth of Islam.
“Last year, we gathered here to celebrate Hijrah 1446 and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant us life to witness more. Today, we thank Him for answering our prayers as we mark Hijrah 1447,” he said.
Describing the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina as a pivotal moment in Islamic history, the Governor noted that the journey spanning over 400 kilometers symbolized not only the protection of the Prophet and his early followers but also the divine strategy to spread the message of Islam.
He said: “This occasion is not just a commemoration of the past,” he remarked, “but a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness, perseverance over persecution, peace over violence, and hope over despair. These are the values Muslims must uphold today.”
He called on Muslims, particularly in Nigeria, to live by the teachings of Islam, especially its emphasis on endurance, patience, and unwavering faith in the face of trials.
“Hijrah reminds us to renew our trust in our Creator. With sincerity in worship and total submission to His will, no predicament is beyond resolution,” he added.
The Governor, however, expressed appreciation on behalf of the Oyo State Government for the steadfast support, prayers, and counsel from the Muslim community.
He credited their continued engagement as vital to the successes recorded by the Seyi Makinde-led administration over the past six years.
“As we move forward, we seek even greater cooperation.
We assure you that our government will not relent in building a society where life is more conducive for everyone, and where fairness and inclusivity among all religious groups are consistently upheld,” he pledged.
The event drew thousands of faithful and featured lectures, prayers, and reflections aimed at strengthening the unity and moral compass of the Muslim Ummah.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Governor however announced the donation of a sum of two million and five hundred naira to the Muslim community as part of support towards the cause of Islam in the state.
He wished all attendees and the wider Muslim community a prosperous and peaceful new year, saying, “May Almighty Allah grant us the grace to witness many more Hijrah years in good health, joy, and spiritual growth.
Earlier in his remarks, the Oyo State coordinator of National Council Of Muslim Youth Organization ( NACOMYO) Alhaji Daud Omobolaji Afolabi noted that Hijrah symbolizes a profound act of faith, that is beyond a physical journey but represents a spiritual transformation.
He urged Muslims to migrate from ignorance to knowledge from sin to righteousness and from division to unity.