The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged the Muslim Ummah to look out for the crescent of Rajab 1446 AH, starting from Tuesday.
The directive is contained in a statement released in Sokoto on Monday by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
“This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Tuesday, Dec. 31st, corresponding to the 29th day of Jumada As-Sani 1446 AH, shall be the day to look out for the new crescent of Rajab 1446 AH.
“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Rajab on Tuesday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan,” he said.
The Sultan prayed for Allah’s guidance and blessings upon all Muslims as they fulfill their religious obligations.
It was gathered that Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic calendar and is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam during which warfare is prohibited.
Along with Sha’aban, Rajab serves as a spiritual preparation for Ramadan, which is traditionally believed to be the month in which Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Rashidun Caliph, was born.
