By Uche Amunike
The federal government has declared public holidays on Friday 21st April and Monday 24th April, 2023 to mark this year’s Eid-il-Fitri celebrations.
This disclosure was made on behalf of the federal government by the minister of interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, Wednesday.
Speaking, through the statement, the minister congratulated all Muslims for successfully completing the holy month of Ramadan. He called on them to imbibe and practice the great virtues of love, peace, kindness, tolerance, sacrifice, good neighborliness and self denial just like the Holy Prophet Muhammad did in his time.
He counseled that all muslims should continue to maintain that lifestyle even after the Ramadan fast so as to become better people. His words: ‘The self-restrain, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper.’
He also gave Nigerians the assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari was fully committed to having a peaceful transition of government now that the 2023 elections have successfully ended and went on to assure compatriots of President Buhari’s commitment to providing security of life and property of every Nigerian and even foreigners in the country.
He further commended all security agencies for their successes recorded in fighting the menace of criminals across Nigeria. He made a plea to Nigerians to join hands in becoming a part of the nation’s security architecture by maintaining vigilance, reporting any suspicious individuals or activities witnessed by them to law enforcement agencies close to them, adding that security is everybody’s responsibility.
He also called on every Nigerian not to relent in reporting such suspicious activities and persons to the N-Alert application.
Aregbesola on behalf of the federal government (FG), declared public holidays
for Friday and Monday and wished all
Muslims a great Eid-il-Fitri celebration, while praying for the blessings, peace and favour of Allah upon them as they celebrate.
Eid-il-Fitri is a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, which began on Thursday, March 23. Since then, Muslims all over the world have been fasting during daylight hours. It is a celebration that occurs every year and it is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar. However, the beginning and end date usually changes.
Eid-il-Fitri Begins a day after the first Crescent moon is sighted at the end of the ninth month. That is when religious leaders globally monitor the skies in order to fix its starting date. When Ramadan ends, Muslims all over the world will celebrate Eid-il-Fitri.
When translated, Eid-il-Fitri means holiday of breaking the fast. That is because it marks the end of a month of fasting. Just like the commencement of the fasting, the end of the fasting is also determined by a moon sighting stop as soon as religious leaders seek out a new moon come out, it’s a sign that the celebration will start.
Lots of food is eaten during the celebration and Muslims usually decorate their homes and invite families and friends over for the occasion.
