The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Wednesday night, declared the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1439AH and, by implications, declares Thursday May 17th as Ramadan 1st.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III therefore directed the Muslims in the country to commence the annual fasting that is one of the major five pillars of their religion, Islam.
Addressing a press conference of print, broadcasting and online journalists at the Sultan’s Palace at about 8.15pm on Wednesday, the Sultan said the new crescent signifying the beginning of the Ramadan fast was sighted in some parts of the including Demoroji in Isa District Sokoto, Bonny in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Gumel in Gombe, Buji, Maiduguri in Borno State, Zamfara State, Bauchi State, Damaturu in Yobe, Minna in Niger State and Dutse in Jigawa State.
Although more information were still being received as at the time of this report, but the information received so far from the moonsighting committees, it was said, were enough to take a position.
“Reliable reports of moonsighting were received from Muslim leaders from across the country which were duly verified and the areas of sighting including Sokoto here, Borno, Zamfara, Bauch, Rivers, etc.
“Consequently tomorrow Thursday the 17th day of May 2018 is Ramadan 1, 1439 AH.
“We like to call on our Muslims brothers to devote themselves to the worship of Allah during the month and pray for our leader in the country.
“We also urge all Muslims to use this month of Ramadan to dedicate themselves to the teaching of Islam and rededicate themselves to peaceful co-existence in the country,” Sultan advised. (The Defender)
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