Eid-el-Fitr: Search For Moon Monday, Sultan Tell Muslims
By Abimbola Abdullah
As Muslims prepare for Eid-el-Fitr to end Ramadan fasting, the President-General Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged 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.
Sultan, in a statement signed by the Secretary-General, NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, felicitates the Nigerian Muslim ‘Ummah and the entire Muslim world on the auspicious occasion of the 1445 A.H. Eid-el-Fitr.
He reminded the Muslims to give out Zakatul Fitr before the end of Ramadan fasting.
Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the less privileged in the society.
He 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.
Sultan said, 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.
He stated: “If Muslims sight the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Tuesday, 9th April 2024 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of Eid-el-Fitr. However, if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Wednesday, 10th April 2024, automatically becomes the day of Eid-el-Fitr.”
He therefore 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 all happy Eid-el-Fitr, the Council enjoins Muslims all over the country to look out for the announcement to be made by the President-General of NSCIA, on the night of Monday, 8th of April 2024.
