The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, has directed all Muslims to be on the look out for the new moon signalling the beginning of Ramadan on Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Monday by Zubairu Usman-Ugwu, director of administration, Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Sultan made the announcement stating that Ramadan is a time for reflection when Muslims around the world observe fasting for 29 or 30 days.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1444 A.H. Ramadan fasting exercise. Council prays that may Allah spare the life of every Muslim to witness, participate fully in and benefit maximally from the noble act of worship (ibadah).”
The Islamic calendar follows the phases of the moon, known as the lunar cycle, falling nearly 10 days earlier every year in the Gregorian calendar.
If the moon is not sighted on Wednesday, the fast will begin automatically on Friday.
