The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged Muslims across the country to watch out for the moon which marks the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fasting.
This is even as the council announced the tentative dates of March 11 and March 12, 2024, as the commencement dates for the annual Ramadan fast.
In a statement by Prof Salisu Shehu, Deputy Secretary General of the NSCIA, the council urged Muslim to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 on the given date, equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
The NSCIA also called on Muslim faithfuls who have credible sighting of the crescent to inform members of the National Moon Sighting Committee.
“The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan Fast. The Council prays that Allah spare the lives of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, March 10, 2024, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Monday, 11th March 2024 as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Tuesday, 12th March 2024, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1445 AH”, the statement partly read.
