Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed the Muslim Ummah to observe the crescent of Shawwal 1445AH starting Monday.
The Secretary-General of NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that if the moon is sighted Monday, the Sultan would declare tomorrow as the first day of Shawwal and the day of Eid-el-Fitr.
But he said if the crescent is not sighted today, the fasting would hold tomorrow and Wednesday, April 19, becomes the day of Eid-el-Fitr.
The statement said, “…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 eid 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, April 8, 2024 at 07:21 p.m. That, notwithstanding, as Islamic tradition stipulates, Muslims are enjoined to search for the crescent of Shawwal on Ramadan 29…
“Furthermore, the public can report sightings of the new moon through the following telephone numbers: 08037157100, 07067416900, 08066303077, 08036149757, 08035965322, and 08099945903.”
Also, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have arrived in Lagos and Maiduguri ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The President’s aircraft touched down on Sunday at 4.30 p.m. at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja.
Tinubu was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some members of the State Executive Council.
He is expected to return to Abuja after the Eid-el-Fitr holidays.
Shettima, who arrived the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri on Sunday was received by Borno State Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur, members of the Exco and chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
