The event is regarded as the most important day, because it brings people from villages of Zaria to the city. It is a gathering, he said, that unites friends and families.
the emir, in company of his district heads, moves out from the palace on horseback to go round the ancient city. Hawan Daushe provides an opportunity for residents to meet the emir face-to-face.
After the traditional explore, the emir would go back to the palace and the princes would once again pay homage. During Hawan Daushe, the princes engage in a competition with each trying to outshine the other in horse riding skill and display of royal regalia. At the end, the best district head would be selected. Hawan Daushe durbar usually rounds off Sallah festivity in Zaria.
Before the durbars, residents of Zaria took part in the two raka’at Eid prayer on Friday morning. Attired in their best clothe, male and female; young and old residents as early as 6:30am trooped to various Eid grounds. Alhaji Idris, the emir of Zazzau, observed the Eid prayer at the Kofar Doka Eid ground.
In his address, Alhaji Idris reemphasised his usual call for residents to continue to cooperate with security agencies for them to consolidate on the gain of maintaining law and order in the Zazzau emirate and the state in general.
He appealed to Nigerian farmers to embrace dry season farming in order to boost national food security. The Emir said the call became imperative in view of the importance of irrigation to the economy of the country.
He added; “I want to also use this medium to call on people to always provide security agencies with genuine information about drugs selling points in order to flush them out. Collective effort is required to ensure a drug-free society.
He urged the federal and state governments to buy excess farm produce from farmers to assist people in the event of scarcity.
Alhaji Idris said; “I want to use this opportunity to thank both the state and federal government for their efforts in reviving the economy of Kaduna State and Nigeria, as well as the developmental projects being executed. I want to plead with you all to continue praying for Allah to continue to guide our leaders aright and for peace to reign in all parts of Nigeria.”
Similarly, the Imam of the Chikaji, Zaria Eid ground, Sheikh Muhammad Sani Gumi, urged Muslims to always ponder on the essence of their creation by Allah. He said mankind was created in order to worship Allah and earn a palace in the paradise. He said this can only be achieved if people do good and avoid evil.
Gumi charged Muslims to continue to reflect in their lives the lessons learnt in the month of Ramadan by assisting the needy.
One of the major highlights of the Sallah celebrations in Zaria was the tight security arrangement that was put in place by various agencies. This contributed immensely to peaceful celebrations.