The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Friday, April 24, as the first day of the Ramadan fast in Nigeria.
Abubakar announced the sighting of the new crescent in Sokoto on Thursday in a radio and television broadcast.
According to him, the new moon was sighted in different parts of the country while report of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and Organisations across the country.
“After due verification and authentication by the national moon sighting committee and states committees’ confirmation, as well as routine scrutiny, I hereby announce the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan which signifies the end of Sha’aban 1441 AH.
“In accordance with Islamic law, Muslim Ummah are to commence fasting on Friday accordingly,” he said.
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He enjoined Muslim faithful to devote themselves fully to the worship of Allah throughout the holy month urging them to use the period to pray for the progress, peace and prosperity of the nation.
“We further call on Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious and tribal difference,” he said.
The Sultan urged Muslim faithful to use the period to pray against the coronavirus even as he called on the wealthy individuals to assist the poor.
He also stressed the need for increased religious tolerance and brotherhood in Nigeria.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslim faithful observe one month fast.
