No moon sighted, fasting continues tomorrow – Sultan
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced that the Ramadan fast would continue on Saturday.
This was followed by the report of the National Moonsighting Committee of the NSCIA stating that no moon was sighted in the country on Friday.
It said the Ramadan fast would reach 30 this year as against preparations earlier made by Muslim faithful to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri tomorrow (Saturday) in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement by the Chairman of Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of Sultanate Council in Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, on Friday.
The statement quoted the Sultan as declaring Sunday, May 24, as the 1st day of Shawwal 1441AH and the beginning of Eid-el-Fitri celebration in the country.
The statement read in part, “The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs working in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee did not receive any report of moon slighting in the country.
“This means that Friday, May 22 is the 29th day of Ramadan 1441AH. Therefore, Saturday May 23, is the 30th day of Ramadan 1441AH.
“The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has declared Sunday, May 24, as the first day of Shawwal 1441AH.”
The PUNCH reports that the Muslim holiday of Eid-el-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Also, Eid will begin on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, authorities in the kingdom said on Friday.
“Saturday will be the last day of the sacred holy month of Ramadan and Eid-el-Fitr will take place on Sunday,” the royal court and the supreme court said, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency.
Religious authorities in Jerusalem, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Qatar, and Lebanon also said that Eid would begin on Sunday.
The timing of Eid is determined by the position of the moon, in accordance with the Muslim lunar calendar.
