The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the esteemed leadership of Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, has urged Muslims across the country to observe the sky after sunset on Monday, the 29th of Ramadan, 1445 A.H, April 8, 2024, for the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal.
In a statement released by the Secretary-General of the council, Is-haq Oloyede, it was emphasized that the council urged all Muslims to diligently search for the crescent moon, adhering to the moon sighting and verification standards.
Oloyede added that should the crescent moon be sighted, the Sultan of Sokoto, will declare Tuesday, April 9, 2024, as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.
However, if the crescent moon remains unseen on Monday, ‘Idul Fitr will automatically be observed on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
The NSCIA extends its felicitations to the Nigerian Muslim ‘Ummah and the global Muslim community, wishing all a blessed 1445 A.H. ‘Idul Fitr and praying for continued health and divine guidance.
Moreover, the council reminds Muslims of the obligatory Zakatul Fitr, a mandatory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be distributed to the less fortunate in society. It emphasizes the importance of timely compliance with this duty.
His words " the President-General enjoined 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.
"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 ‘Idul Fitr. However, if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Wednesday, 10th April 2024, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.
"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: "
