As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts worldwide to await the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has felicitated with the faithful and urged them to be on the lookout for the crescent of the new month of Ramadan immediately after sunset tomorrow (Sunday).
This is even as the Council urged Muslims to extend charity to the less privileged in the country, while it appealed to traders to neither hoard food products nor unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of the fast.
These are contained in a press release signed by NSCIA Deputy Secretary-General, Professor Salisu Shehu, made available to Tribune Online in Abuja today.
According to the release, if the crescent was sighted by Muslims of impeccable character tomorrow evening, then the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who doubles as NSCIA President-General, would declare Monday, March 11, as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH.
It added that if the moon is not sighted tomorrow, then Tuesday, March 12, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1445 AH.
“The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan fast.
“The Council prays that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah exercise and to maximise the benefits therein.
“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 Ramadan 1445 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, 10th March 2024, which is equivalent to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Monday, 11th March 2024, as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH.
“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then Tuesday, 12th March 2024, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1445 AH,” Professor Shehu stated.
Meanwhile, the supreme body for Muslims in Nigeria, while noting the current economic hardship in Nigeria, urged endowed Muslims in the country to extend acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during, and after the month of Ramadan.
According to the Council, “In the face of the current economic hardship, the Council appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during, and after the month of Ramadan.
“The Council also admonishes traders to neither hoard food products nor unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of the fast.
“We urge the Muslims to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to pray that Allah grant the Palestinians His divine support and liberate them from their oppressors.
“The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout for the Ramadan crescent on the night of Sunday 10th of March 2024, and awaits the official announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of the NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1445 AH Ramadan fast.
“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world a happy Ramadan in advance. Allahuma Baligna Ramadan.”
