TheCable

Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, has declared Wednesday as the first of Shawwal 1445AH.

In a statement on Monday, Sultan, who is the president general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Wednesday will be observed as Eid-el-Fitr day.

He said the report of national moon sighting committees across the country confirmed that there was no sighting of the new moon on Monday.

The statement was signed by Sambo Junaidu, the chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs.

Muslims in Nigeria will complete their 30-day fasting on Tuesday.

“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings,” the statement reads.

“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress, and development of the country, also wishes all Muslims a happy Eid-El-Fitri.”

Earlier today, authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday said no moon crescent marking the beginning of Shawwal and the end of Ramadan has been sighted.

It also added that the Eid-El-Fitr would be held on Wednesday, April 10 to mark the beginning of the new Islamic month.

“The crescent moon was not sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th April 2024.

“May Allāh allow us to utilise the remaining moments of this blessed month to engage in that which pleases Him, may He accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl & may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn.”

On April 7, the federal government announced Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays.