Religion

By Abubakar Suleiman 

For a people or a region plagued by insecurity and extremism, it is understandable that peace-loving people would embrace or support anyone who presents themselves as a peace advocate or ambassador. These ambassadors could be atheists, Muslims, Christians, or agnostics. However, there is a fundamental difference between advocating peace and being hell-bent on striking at the very pedestal upon which Islam has stood for centuries. The latter will inevitably come with its own blowback.

The search for peace, rightly so, can be likened to a drowning man holding on to anything that looks like a stick, even if it is a snake. Many found what seemed like a stick in Masussuka. Hadith, the second source of Shari’ah, which comprises accounts of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), was dismissed, mocked, misinterpreted, and abused by Masussuka. His treatment of Hadith was not guided by any established scholarly procedures, and this is where Masussuka fell short of intellectual rigour. He became the authority who made or marred a Hadith according to his own whims and caprices.

For the record, he is not the first to subject Hadiths to scholarly scrutiny. Many others have done so, but they followed established procedures. This is what makes Masussuka appear more like a sophist than a scholar. With cheerleaders, both innocent and dishonest, hailing him in their search for peace and their fight against extremism, Masussuka basks even more in his whimsical delusions. Attempts to get him to participate in open intellectual debates have proved abortive.

When the heat in the kitchen became unbearable over his rejection of ALL Hadiths, Masussuka created novel criteria for accepting Hadiths: “It should not contradict the Qur’an, it should not impugn the reputation of the Prophet (SAW), and it should not call for terrorism.” I don’t know of any Islamic cleric or scholar in history who has proposed these criteria. This was entirely his own invention.

Even non-Muslims are well aware of the five pillars of Islam. Yet Masussuka reduced them to three. How the Hadith that explicitly outlines the five pillars of Islam failed to meet the criteria he set for himself is a conundrum he failed to address or reconcile before his unfortunate murder. Hadiths concerning voluntary fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, as well as many well-known Hajj rituals, also fell short of his criteria. He dismissed Islamic jurisprudence with a wave of his hand. He threw the historic martyrdom of Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), into the gutter. He denied history. That denial alone could strike at one of Shi’ism’s most important historical foundations.

Under the umbrella of peace advocacy, Masussuka enjoyed the protection and intellectual endorsement of people who would ordinarily be quick to criticise anyone resorting to unscholarly procedures in other fields of knowledge. He had sound Qur’anic memorisation, a sharp tongue, coherent and incoherent logic, and the ability to explain and translate Arabic words in a didactic manner. He also didn’t spare his interlocutors from name-calling: karuwar kundila, bunsuru da babban riga, jaba mai bakin sharri, etc. Even the foremost compilers of Hadith, Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, were not spared his invectives. Shehu Inyass and Ahmad Tijjani also got their fair share of name-calling. That’s the peace ambassador.

In fairness, he called for peaceful coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims. He spoke out about out-of-school children and parental irresponsibility. On the other hand, he spoke against Hadiths with reckless abandon, devoid of intellectual honesty.

As I have said before, I understand that some intellectuals are genuinely concerned about taming extremism and tendentiousness, as well as ending the romance between religious leaders and politicians because of its ‘overbearing influence’ on governance. Hence, their newfound love for Masussuka.

But hatred or dislike of Hadith or of Sunni scholars should not make you hold a snake and mistake it for a stick. There’s nothing new in what he propagated. He has only regurgitated the past. Tomes were written long ago debunking the kind of logical fallacies he propagated. The democratisation of social media tends to make these arguments appear new, but they are not. To paraphrase Thomas Sowell, one of the most important reasons for studying history is that virtually every stupid idea in vogue today has been tried before and proved disastrous.

One credit you have to give Sunni scholars, however you feel about them, is that they have made themselves available for open debates and have written books to debunk ideologies they consider inimical to theirs. Therefore, intellectuals should endeavour to write books or engage them in open debates on the issues they have with Hadiths. Don’t be a coward like Masussuka, who threw insults and intellectual missiles from afar.

There is no gainsaying that no one deserves to die for holding a contrasting view or subscribing to a non-mainstream ideology, particularly when such a view or ideology poses no threat to social integration. The constituted authority should determine what constitutes a threat to overriding public interests or social stability and act accordingly.

It was with dismay that I received the news of Masussuka’s assassination. I remarked: “A hero has been created by cowards and bloody murderers.” I wish he had lived long enough to be defeated by the truth, or even suffocated by it. His death has also denied us the remarkable spectacle that would have accompanied the intellectual debates he shied away from.

I hope and pray that these murderers are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law. I fear that, if precedent is anything to go by, his family and students would only be left to lick their wounds and grieve over his loss. But I pray that the Nigerian government proves me wrong this time around.

By Muhsin Ibrahim

The tragic trail of political and religious violence in Northern Nigeria has claimed yet another prominent life. It began in 2007 with the gruesome assassinations of Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam, who was shot dead in Kano while leading dawn prayers, and Sheikh Umar Hamza Dan-Maishiyya in Sokoto. 

Seven years later, in 2014, Sheikh Muhammad Auwal Albani Zaria was murdered in Kaduna State. 

Today, in 2026, the targeted killing of Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka by unknown gunmen in Katsina marks a deeply disturbing escalation. 

In every instance, an influential voice has been violently silenced, leaving a nation burdened with unanswered questions and followers in deep grief and confusion.

This recurring pattern represents a severe threat to public safety and social cohesion across Northern Nigeria. Jubilating over the violent end of an ideological rival is dangerous shortsightedness; no cleric, regardless of popularity or sectarian affiliation, is safe in an environment where lawlessness reigns. A society where religious scholars can be executed with impunity for their identity or teachings is one where human life has been stripped of basic security.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, a video recently surfaced on social media depicting youth in JIBWIS attire issuing threats against Christian communities in Enugu and Jos. While public commentary must remain cautious of conspiratorial thinking, the alignment of this incendiary material with the assassination of Sheikh Masussuka cannot be casually dismissed. The synchronisation suggests a deliberate effort by malicious actors to ignite a broader sectarian conflict across the region.

Security agencies must undertake an immediate, rigorous, and transparent investigation. Broad public confidence in the judicial process can be restored only if those responsible, regardless of status or political influence, are identified and brought to justice.

In the interim, the public must resist the temptation to engage in reckless speculation. Emotional outbursts and unsourced allegations on digital platforms risk repeating past errors. 

Following the 2007 murder of Sheikh Ja’afar, baseless accusations targeted national leaders, state officials, and traditional institutions, ultimately forcing news outlets to issue public retractions for spreading fabricated reports. Unverified claims ruin reputations and risk sparking retributive violence at a time when national calm is required.

We must exercise utmost restraint. Sharing unverified media, amplifying inflammatory rhetoric, or taking the law into one’s hands will only compound the crisis. Sustained development and progress are impossible without security. National stability must remain the primary objective.

May peace prevail in Nigeria, and may the Almighty forgive our deceased loved ones, amin.

By Muhammad Ibrahim 

The National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, has called on security agencies to investigate a viral video showing a man in the organisation’s First Aid Group uniform allegedly calling for weapons to attack Enugu on Sunday.

In a statement dated Monday, October 26, 2026, Bala Lau condemned the remarks and urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to identify those involved and bring anyone found culpable to justice.

He distanced JIBWIS from the statements, stressing that the organisation did not endorse violence or threats against any community. He also warned that wearing its uniform did not necessarily mean the individual was acting with its authorisation.

The cleric said the incident could be an attempt to misrepresent the organisation and damage its reputation, urging authorities to investigate the man’s identity, affiliation and motives.

Bala Lau cited JIBWIS’s recent international conference in Abuja, which brought together Muslim and Christian leaders to promote interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

He maintained that the organisation, established about 48 years ago, remained committed to Islamic teachings, education, humanitarian services and peaceful coexistence among people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

By Hassana Abdullahi

A dispute over restrictions on Islamic headscarves in Azerbaijan has sparked criticism from Turkish officials and Islamist groups, raising tensions between the two countries known for their close political and military ties.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s chief adviser, Oktay Saral, condemned the restrictions as “unacceptable” and urged Azerbaijan to reverse the decision, insisting that wearing a headscarf was a requirement of Islamic faith.

Several lawmakers from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) also criticised the measures, while protests were held outside Azerbaijan’s diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.

The controversy has drawn a sharp response from Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party, which accused Turkish officials of spreading defamatory claims and warned against interference in the country’s internal affairs.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had earlier cautioned outsiders against interfering in the country’s way of life.

The disagreement is particularly sensitive because Turkey and Azerbaijan describe their relationship as “one nation, two states”. Turkey provided strong support to Azerbaijan during its 2020 war with Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

However, the headscarf controversy has also exposed differences over Azerbaijan’s close relationship with Israel. Baku buys Israeli weapons and supplies oil to Israel, while Ankara’s relations with Tel Aviv have deteriorated sharply over the war in Gaza.

The tensions became more visible on Thursday when delegations from Turkey, Iran and other countries reportedly walked out of a regional security summit in Baku during an address by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Azerbaijan has sought to maintain relations with both Israel and other regional powers, but the growing dispute highlights the diplomatic challenges facing its efforts to balance competing political and religious interests.

By Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi

Full disclosure: I had the song “Strong Ting” by Banky W on auto-repeat in my music playlist while in the world. Be that as it may, that’s by the way!

“…But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”

Nigerian singer and filmmaker Bankole Wellington, better known as Banky W, relived this aspect of 1 Samuel 30:6 after losing his bid for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives during the 2023 general election. Finding courage in the Lord like David did when distraught and threatened, Banky found clarity amidst the maze and melancholy.

We will get to this momentarily, but not before ridding the elephant in the room. That would be the streets and cynics taunting: “Who send am go run for election?” or something like, “Couldn’t he have seen that the odds were stacked against him?” If his instincts couldn’t, how about his spiritual discernment as a man of God? The comment section also has others asking why he’s giving up so easily by not trying “his luck again” or worming his way into the good graces of the prevailing political establishment.

Politicians, particularly of the Nigerian stock, are Pollyannaish in nature. In fact, it seems a major qualification to be a politician in Nigeria is an overbloated sense of one’s worth or extreme optimism. They hardly give up on their ambitions. Banky W not being on the ballot in this round of elections affirms his epiphany or Road to Damascus experience.

In a post on his Instagram page this Thursday, @bankywellington wrote, “In 2023 I lost an election. And while the experience inspired me in many ways, it also broke my heart into a million little pieces. When the dust settled, I took those pieces back to God. And I surrendered.” We commend him for turning to God like David did when he seemingly lost it all. How great is the Lord to have successfully mended a heart shattered into a million fragments! This is why, upon life’s billows, people should run to, not away from Him. Perhaps those jostling for political positions in Nigeria’s 2027 election will, by Banky’s testimony, learn how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when the chips are down.

It is in the character of many to pick a quarrel with God when things don’t work out as planned. Such persons should heed the admonition of the tried and triumphant Job by acquainting themselves with God, and be at peace: so that good can come unto them (Job 22:21). If only the aggrieved had a sense of the big picture, they would see that the good Lord has not called the seed of Jacob to seek Him in vain. Even when you have acted in spite, or volitionally, the loving Father’s penchant for turning a mess into a message makes Him to bestow on you “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3).

Banky W is definitely better off currently than he would have been holding a political office. That’s probably why he is out of the 2027 polls. This isn’t about him working as a teacher and leader at Union College in the United States, but about what his koinonia with the Holy Spirit can bring. We congratulate the music label boss, who significantly propelled the career of Grammy-grabbing Wizkid as the EME honcho, for being able to expressly hear from the Lord and align with the Almighty’s will for his life. Hear him again: “One year later, I’m reminded that sometimes what feels like the end of your story is really just God turning the page. The election didn’t go the way I hoped. But God’s plans for my life are bigger than the plans I had for myself.”

We can now see that all things work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. If not for his loss at the polls, Banky wouldn’t have come to a better and beneficial understanding of God. This brings us back to whether he didn’t get Heaven’s green light before initially throwing his hat in the ring. That could also have been God’s means of helping the prodigiously talented celebrity actualise destiny. Notice that while acknowledging God’s expansion of his assignments, he didn’t list politics. As it were, not even the “P” in his P.Banks moniker was cited as representing “politician.” “I used to joke that the ‘P’ in P.Banks stood for Professor, not Pastor. I guess God heard and said, ‘Why not both?’” he wrote. It pays greatly to know and follow the divine will for one’s life.

The consciousness of God in your corner would never allow you to turn the curveball life throws at you into an own goal. But this requires subjecting your will to His on every matter. That word “surrendered,” as used by the former secular singer, is basically what is needed. So many people have missed it in life and destiny because they couldn’t yield. We advisedly used “couldn’t” since some people are eager to be led but don’t know how. Come to think of it, how can someone not desire being led by the Lord? The fact that politicians are no longer making a singsong of “follow who know road” in this electioneering season doesn’t mean that the street wisdom is no longer valid. How much more the privilege of having to follow the Road (no pun intended – John 14:6).

King David absolutely knew what he was talking about when he declared in Psalm 23, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The ensuing verses list other amazing benefits. God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Graciously, He is not hard to find. Verses in the Old and New Testaments affirm this much. Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Matthew 7:7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” In reality, He is the one actually doing the seeking. This is why He said in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Nonetheless, without bothering ourselves with the semantic symmetry between seeking and following God, the Good News is that both spiritual endeavours are enabled by the same manual – the Bible. You seek and know God by studying and meditating on His Word. For sure, there are Sons who can hear God directly and clearly; they all started from somewhere – a hunger for the Word of God. You’ve got to begin from the known to the unknown. In the main, be sure not to dissent as you discern!

VIS Ugochukwu is a sage, storyteller, and branding specialist who welcomes feedback at nmiringwu@gmail.com.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu, has called for love, peace and peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians during a visit to the Jos Central Mosque.

The visit, which formed part of his week-long pastoral engagement, was aimed at strengthening interfaith relations and promoting good neighbourliness amid security challenges in Plateau State.

The Archbishop was received by the Chief Imam of Jos, Sheikh Ghazali Ismaila Adam, who highlighted the longstanding cordial relationship between the Muslim community and the Catholic Church, particularly during former Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama’s tenure.

The Chief Imam also cited teachings from the Holy Qur’an to emphasise mutual respect, compassion and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

Alhaji Sani Mu’azu, Makama of Jos North and chairman of the Jos Muslim Ummah Committee on Security, Peace and Stability (JOMUPSEC), stressed the need for sustained interfaith dialogue and community-based efforts to address insecurity in the state.

He said Muslims and Christians must work together to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships and tackle their shared security challenges.

Mu’azu described the Archbishop’s visit as a reminder that religious differences should not overshadow the shared humanity and collective responsibility of both communities to promote lasting peace and stability in Plateau State.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has announced the death of its Secretary-General, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmad, mni, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, 6th October 2026 (23 Rabi al-Thani 1448 AH). He was 70.

Born on 11 June 1956 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmad was a distinguished Islamic activist, legal practitioner, public intellectual, and administrator. He received a strong foundation in Qur’anic and Islamic education before studying law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

As Secretary-General of the SCSN, he occupied a pivotal position in the Council’s administration and strategic direction, coordinating its programmes and representing its institutional interests in engagements with government, civil society, and the media. The Council described his death as a great loss to the Nigerian Muslim community and the nation at large.

His professional career spanned Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors. He served at the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) as Director/Board Member and Corporate Secretary, and earlier at First Interstate Merchant Bank Ltd. as Secretary and Assistant General Manager.

In the Islamic banking sector, he played a leading role in establishing Nigeria’s first Islamic banking system and served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank Plc.

A Member of the National Institute (mni) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, he was recognised for his contributions to national policy discourse and strategic thinking.

The Council extended its deepest condolences to his immediate family, Shurah members, relatives, colleagues, and all who knew him, praying that Allah forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, grants him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and gives his family and the entire Ummah the strength to bear the loss.

By Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu

It is common knowledge that the world is experiencing numerous challenges. The Global Peace Index Report of 2025 says that the world has become less peaceful for the 13th time in the last 17 years: more conflicts, more militarisation, and fewer resources for peacebuilding. 

Similarly, the 2025 report by the Institute for Economic and Peace says global peace is at its lowest level and that there are now over 122 million people who have been forcibly displaced due to conflicts globally.

In Nigeria, insecurity and economic hardship dominate public discourse. Figures from the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that 614,937 Nigerians were killed and 2,235,954 others were kidnapped nationwide within a single year in 2024.

Analysts confirmed that the number of people killed in Nigeria in 2024 was higher than the death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza, where over 40,000 had died. The figure is far more than the killings from the long-running Russian war on Ukraine, where 57,500 had been massacred as of December 2024

According to the World Food Programme’s August 2026 Country Briefing, an estimated 36.2 million people in Nigeria are acutely food insecure, with 2.1 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity. The 2022 NBS reports claimed that 133 million people living in Nigeria are multidimensionally poor. 

This situation calls for a national prayer to seek divine intervention to complement the efforts of Governments at the state and Federal levels, which have been launching noble initiatives, projects, and programmes to end lingering insecurity and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

The Glorious Qur’an made it abundantly clear that many afflictions and tribulations are caused by the wrongdoings committed by men, as a test that, peradventure, men may turn to God, who promised them succour afterwards. “Chaos appears in the land and the sea because of the evil deeds which people’s hands have earned, in order to make them taste the flavour of some of their misdeeds – in order that they may come back” (Qur’an 30:41).

Muslims believe that prayer has the spiritual power to overcome compounding and complex situations. “Your Lord has said, ‘Pray to Me, for I shall answer your prayers'” (Qur’an 40:60). For instance, with a “single prayer”, Prophet Moses (A.S.) got comfort, food, accommodation, a job and thereafter a family (Qur’an 28:24 – 27). 

Allah has always assured the believers that “when My servants ask you about Me, then surely I am near: I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he prays to Me. So, let them respond to My call, and believe and trust in Me, so that they may be guided.” (Qur’an 2:186). 

To strengthen believers in the efficacy of prayer, the glorious Qur’an is replete with stories of Prophets like Zakariya, Ayyub, Yunus (A.S.), among others, who prayed for certain issues and had their prayers answered (Q21:83-90).

As a demonstration of patriotism embodied in spirituality and faithfulness, the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the President General and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, organised a national prayer for peace, unity and prosperity of our dear country, Nigeria.

The prayer session, preceded by the recitation of the entire Glorious Qur’an, was attended by Chief Imams of the Central Mosques from 36 states of the Federation, representatives of Islamic Organisations in Nigeria, and Muslim leaders from various spheres of life.

The event saw patriotic believers eschewing differences, stripping off their ranks and status, converging on one of the sacred places in the land in awe of God with reverence, praying to God, the Creator of all creation, to grant “our one request: help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed, and so with peace and plenty”

One of the Qur’an’s most powerful lessons is that faith is not passive. Islam does not teach believers to sit and wait without effort. Rather, it teaches Muslims to pray sincerely and act decisively. The central message is that as one raises hands in prayer, one is equally expected to roll up their sleeves and act.

Consider the example of Maryam (Mary) in Qur’an 19:25. In her moment of pain and distress, Allah tells her to shake the trunk of a palm tree. A weak woman, exhausted, shaking a strong tree—this action alone could not bring down dates. Yet Allah wanted to teach believers: make the effort, even when it seems small, and He will bring the result.

Likewise, when Musa (Moses) stood before the sea with danger behind him, Allah commanded him in Qur’an 26:63 to strike the sea with his staff. The sea did not part until Musa acted. Again, the lesson is clear: divine help comes alongside human effort.

Allah reminds us in Qur’an 13:11: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” 

This is a call to responsibility. If we seek relief from hardship, we must turn to Allah with du‘a, while also striving to improve our condition.

The story of Nuh (Noah) reinforces the principle of pairing prayer with concrete and decisive action. In Qur’an 11:37, Prophet Nuh (A.S.) was commanded to build an ark long before any visible sign of the flood.

Despite ridicule from his people, he continued his work. His survival, and that of the believers with him, came not merely from prayer, but from obedient and sustained effort.

The Qur’an reassures believers in Qur’an 94:5-6 that “with hardship comes ease.” However, that ease is often reached through a combination of spiritual devotion, patience, and purposeful action.

Equally compelling was the account of Ayyub (Job), a symbol of patience in suffering. After enduring prolonged illness, he turned to Allah in supplication. Yet his healing was linked to action: in Qur’an 38:42, he was told to strike the ground with his foot, whereupon a spring emerged. The narrative highlights that even divine healing may come through human participation.

Beyond individual stories, the Qur’an lays down general principles. In Qur’an 13:11, it states: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” This verse underscores personal and collective responsibility—change requires initiative.

Other prophetic examples expand this theme. Yusuf (Joseph) advised on long-term economic planning during a coming famine (Qur’an 12:47), while Dhul-Qarnayn organised the construction of a protective barrier with collective effort (Qur’an 18:95). Even military discipline is emphasised in the story of Talut (Saul), where restraint and obedience determine success (Qur’an 2:249). The command is to combine reliance with preparedness. Qur’an 8:60 teaches that even with trust in Allah, believers must prepare and act.

Yes, Muslims throughout the country responded positively to the call of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and offered the National prayer for our country. What is expected is that they would equally rally behind him to implement a carefully crafted action plan, guided by his sagacity and leadership acumen, in line with divine guidance and in conformity with extant laws of the land, for a peaceful and prosperous future that posterity would be proud of.

“Keep working: Allah will behold your works and so will His Messenger and the believers;” (Q9:105).

Dr Gwandu is the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Saudi authorities have denied reports circulating on social media that a suicide bomber was arrested at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

The Saudi security authorities said a man was arrested after allegedly harassing passersby and causing fear and panic among people at the holy site. He was dealt with immediately, and legal procedures were initiated before the case was referred to the Public Prosecution.

Authorities stressed that there was “no truth” to the claims that the incident involved a suicide bomber or an attempted attack.

The clarification followed the circulation of videos and social media posts alleging that a man wearing an explosive vest had approached the Kaaba before being apprehended by security personnel. Saudi authorities did not provide further details about the arrested man.

The incident highlights the need to verify reports about events at the Grand Mosque with official sources before sharing them on social media.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

California has officially recognised Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays after Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law on September 28, 2026.

The new law adds the two major Islamic festivals to California’s list of state holidays. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha is observed during the Islamic pilgrimage season and commemorates the sacrifice associated with Prophet Ibrahim.

The legislation also allows state and school employees to observe the two holidays using existing personal holiday credits or other available leave. K-12 public schools and community colleges may also close for Eid through locally negotiated agreements.

However, the law does not automatically require every school or workplace to close on the two occasions. It also excludes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha from California’s judicial holidays.

The move formally recognises two important religious observances of California’s Muslim community and reflects the state’s religious and cultural diversity.