Released: 04-11-2013
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, hereby felicitates with Nigerian Muslim Ummah and congratulates them for witnessing another new Hijrah year 1435.
It is of good delight and gratitude to the Almighty Allah that another year has come to meet the Ummah in good stead and equanimity in spite of all odds. The occasion is a vivid reminder of what Hijrah represents in the lives of Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had to emigrate from Makkah to Madinah in 622 C. E. after he exhausted his patience with the Makkah pagans who were persecuting him.
His endurance and steadfastness eventually paid off in Madinah where he succeeded in establishing an Islamic State with the first democratic constitution in the world based on truth and justice that formed the foundation for other subsequent constitutions in the world.
Without his endurance and patience only Allah knows what would have become of Islam today. The essence of that historic endeavour was to enable Muslims know that after every period of difficulty comes relief as contained in Chapter 94: 5 and 6 of the Glorious Qur’an.
The role of the Muslim Ummah in the celebration of Hijrah year is to emulate the patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which propelled Islam to a very high level within the shortest period ever in history.
Thus, as we commemorate Hijrah memoriam this year, we should not let its real essence, that of patience with steadfastness be lost on us. Once again, we say congratulations and happy New Year and we pray the Almighty Allah to grant the Ummah the opportunity of this celebration many years ahead and preserve Nigeria for us as a single united nation.
