Kwara State Government has declared Tuesday June 16 a public holiday in the state in commemoration of the 1448 New Hijra Year.

Tuesday has been declared as the first day of Muharram (1448), the first Islamic lunar month. In a statement on Monday, the state government urges Muslims to reflect on the significance of the month for not just the Muslim community but for the entire human community.

"Hijrah (the migration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad) reminds the world of the evergreen value of tolerance, common humanity, and the right of every person to their legitimate aspirations - either in matters of faith or mundane matters as long as they do not hurt others," according to the statement.

"As we commemorate the new Hijrah Year, His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, prays that God bless every home, restore peace to our land, and give us the strength to do right by every person."