All is set to usher in Hijrah 1442, the new year of the Islamic lunar calendar which will begin on Thursday in the State of Osun.
The activities including sensitization, Quranic competitions and lecturers will be climaxed with special Jumaat prayers on Friday, August 21, 2020.
President General, Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi stated this in a press briefing on Monday.
According to Olawuyi, the OSMC in partnership with the State Government of Osun, notwithstanding the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic, will make the annual event colourful this year.
Olawuyi noted that Quran competition will hold tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug 18) at 10 am on OSBC television while a colloquium titled; COVID-19: Economic and Health Impacts, Now and the Future to be delivered by Prof M.A Hassan from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State and Dr Kola Makinde from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to be aired on OSBC Radio from 10 am on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
A lecture to mark the commemoration of the Islamic New Year 1442 will also hold on Thursday, August 20 to coincide with the commencement of Hijrah themed Coronavirus Pandemic in the World: Islamic Views simultaneously on OSBC TV/Radio at 10am. The Guest lecturer is Prof Adebayo Abdur-Rafi from the University of Ilorin.
According to the Olawuyi, special prayers will hold across the state on Friday after Jumaat service to usher the Islamic New Year in grand style.
Olawuyi told OSUN DEFENDER that despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the community resolved not to halt the celebrations this year and provide platforms for sensitization and knowledge sharing.
He maintained that the programmes to be aired on the broadcast media will further spread the message of peace, love, sacrifice and harmony which Hijrah seeks to promote.
His words “We are all aware of the monster, the dreaded pandemic we are facing. That is why we have moved from the usual practice of using the stadium to sponsoring programmes on Radio and Television to create more awareness and enlightenment.
“The discourse will further deepen the social conversations on Islam and the way out of the Coronavirus pandemic. We want to appreciate the state government under the leadership of Governor Isiak Adegboyega Oyetola for his support. We enjoin everyone to live in peace to engender the progress of the state.”
