The Kebbi Government has declared today, October 4 as public holiday to mark the beginning of the new Islamic calendar 1438 A.H. (After Hijrah).
A statement issued by Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abubakar Dakingari in Birnin Kebbi urged Muslims to use the holiday to pray for Nigeria. According to him, Sunday, October 2 falls on Muharram 1, 1438 A.H., being the first day of the first month in the lunar Islamic calendar.
In Islam, the use of lunar calendar started in 578 A.D. when Prophet Muhammad migrated from his home in Makkah to Medinah in Saudi Arabia.
