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The Borno State Government has declared Tuesday a public holiday to mark the beginning of the Hijri New Year, 1448 AH (After Hijrah).
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Sunday via the Facebook account of the Ministry of Information and Internal Security by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar.
According to the statement, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum approved the holiday to commemorate the first day of Muharram, the opening month of the Islamic calendar.
“This is to inform the general public that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has declared Tuesday, 16th June 2026, as a Public Holiday to commemorate the first day of the Islamic Calendar Year 1448 AH,” the statement said.
The commissioner urged residents to use the occasion to reflect on the significance of the Islamic New Year and recommit themselves to peaceful coexistence, service to humanity, and the development of the state.
He also encouraged citizens to embrace values such as unity, tolerance, justice, mercy, solidarity, and mutual respect, describing them as essential for maintaining harmony in a diverse society.
Tar noted that the government and people of Borno remain committed to Nigeria’s unity, prosperity, and positive image among the international community.
He added that Governor Zulum called on residents to pray for peace and to continue promoting understanding and cooperation among people of different faiths and communities.
The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles and is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, meaning Islamic dates move earlier each year.
The year 1448 AH overlaps parts of both 2026 and 2027 in the Gregorian calendar.
