RAMADAN: Sultan urges Muslims to watch out for new moon

The President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims all over the country to search for the crescent of Ramadan today.


If the crescent is sighted this night, the 30 or 29-day Ramadan fasting begins tomorrow, Saturday may 27, 2017, if not sighted tonight, then fasting begins on Sunday, May 28, 2017.

According to a release sent to Vanguard, signed by both the Director of Administration, Ustaz Christian Isa Okonkwo and the Secretary General, NSCIA, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, the Muslim apex body stated: “Following the advice of NMSC, the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1438 AH on the night of Friday, 26th May, 2017 equivalent to 29th Sha’ban 1438 AH.

If the crescent is actually sighted by Muslims of impeccable characters on the said night and communicated to the appropriate quarters, His Eminence would declare Saturday, 27th May, 2017 as the first day of Ramadan. If, however, the crescent is not sighted on that day, then, Sunday, 28th May, 2017 automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1438 AH.”

The Council however enjoined Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout for the directive of His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1438 AH Ramadan fast. The council also felicitated with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of Ramadan, praying that Allah grant the Ummah the opportunity to maximise the benefits and blessings of the Holy Month and ailing President Buhari speedy recovery.

“As we wish all Nigerian Muslims happy Ramadan in advance, we enjoin each and every Muslim to use the spirit of Ramadan to seek the face of God for national development. We also urge all Muslims to pray to Allah to grant our President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, a speedy recovery and the wherewithal to pilot the affairs of Nigeria to greatness.