Eid-El-Fitr: Sultan directs Muslims to look out for new moon

Eid-El-Fitr: Sultan directs Muslims to look out for new moon

Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Abubakar, has asked Muslim Ummah to observe the crescent of Shawwal 1445AH starting Monday.

The Sultan made the announcement in a statement on Sunday by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.

Oloyede said if the moon is sighted on Monday, then the Sultan will declare Tuesday as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr:

However, he said if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Wednesday, 10th April 2024, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.

The statement said: “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the Nigerian Muslim ‘Ummah and the entire Muslim world on the auspicious occasion of the 1445 A.H. ‘Idul Fitr. We beseech Allah to grant everyone the opportunity to witness many more of it in good health and divine guidance.

“In the spirit of Ramadan, Muslims are reminded that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the less privileged in the society.

“The Council, therefore, appeals to all concerned to ensure that they do not only comply but also do so in good time. The stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan but before the ‘Id prayer.

“Moreover, consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1445 A.H. immediately after sunset on Monday, 29th Ramadan 1445 A.H. which is equivalent to 8th April 2024.

“It must be noted that, according to scientific calculations, the expected time for the Shawwal moon conjunction in Nigeria is Monday 8th April 2024 at 07:21 p.m. That notwithstanding, as Islamic tradition stipulates, Muslims are enjoined to search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th of Ramadan.

“In addition to the established traditional and Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Shawwal 1445 AH:

“The Council encourages all Muslims to pray fervently to the Almighty Allah, especially during the concluding part of Ramadan, for peace, security and development in Nigeria.

“While wishing us all happy ‘Idul Fitr, the Council enjoins Muslims all over the country to look out for the announcement to be made by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the night of Monday, 8th of April 2024. ‘Id Mubarak in advance!”.