The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, has sent an important message to Muslims in the country over this year’s Ramadan fasting.
The Sultan, who doubles as president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), enjoined Muslims in Nigeria to look out for the crescent of Sha’aban 1445AH after sunset on Saturday, 29th Rajab, 1445AH (February 10, 2024) ahead of this year’s Ramadan fasting.
Abubakar made the call in a statement by the deputy secretary-general of the NSCIA, Professor Salisu Shehu.
“Scientifically, the expected time for the conjunction of the moon is on Friday, February 9, 2024, by 11:59pm. It is important to note that the moon appears and can be sighted usually long (barring other environmental factors) after the conjunction has taken place,” the statement reads.
Sha’aban, the eighth lunar calendar month, indicates that this year’s Ramadan (9th lunar month) is expected to begin early March.
