Hijrah 1448: NSCIA Calls for Unity Amid Security Concerns
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The beginning of the Islamic New Year 1448 AH has been marked in Nigeria with a stark message from the country’s highest Islamic authority, warning that the nation is facing what it describes as one of its most difficult periods in recent memory.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called for renewed faith, unity, and national reflection as Muslims enter the month of Muharram, the first month of the Hijrah calendar.
The Council confirmed the commencement of the new year following verified moon sightings reported by national committees, marking the end of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH and the formal start of 1448 AH.
But alongside the religious observance, the NSCIA used the moment to deliver a broader assessment of Nigeria’s security and economic situation, one it described in unusually stark terms.
It pointed to persistent violence across several regions, including banditry in the North-West, insurgency in the North-East, and a widening pattern of kidnappings that has now extended into other parts of the country. Particularly troubling, it said, were the repeated abductions of schoolchildren and teachers.
The Council also highlighted worsening economic conditions, citing rising inflation, unemployment, and increasing hardship among households. While acknowledging ongoing government reforms, it urged authorities to ensure that policy changes are matched with what it called “compassionate and inclusive” support for the most vulnerable citizens.
As the country navigates these pressures, the NSCIA framed the Hijrah, the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Makkah to Madinah as a reminder of resilience, sacrifice, and trust in God during times of uncertainty.
It called on Muslims to use the new year for spiritual renewal, but extended its message beyond religion, urging Nigerians of all faiths to resist division and recognise what it described as shared national threats that transcend ethnic and religious lines.
The Council warned that insecurity cannot be resolved in isolation from governance, insisting that justice, accountability, and effective leadership remain central to restoring stability.
It also urged greater cooperation between government institutions, security agencies, traditional leaders, and communities, while calling on citizens to remain vigilant and law-abiding.
Political leaders, it said, must avoid rhetoric or actions capable of undermining national unity, instead placing the country’s interests above partisan concerns.
The Council called for increased prayers, charity, and reflection, expressing hope that the new year would bring peace, stability, and relief from hardship.
The statement was issued by the Council’s Public Affairs Office.
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