The President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Friday, April 21, as the day for this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, being the first day of Shawwal, 1444 AH in Nigeria.
Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
It comes immediately after Ramadan, the month of fasting.
Abubakar made the declaration on Thursday in a broadcast in Sokoto following the sighting of the crescent of Shawwal 1444 AH.
He said the sighting of reports for the sighting of the moon was received from different states and organisations in Nigeria.
His words: “Today April 20, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan marked the end of Ramadan fasting by the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
“Therefore, Friday April 21, becomes the first day of Shawwal 1444 AH and the day for Eid-el-Fitr in the country.
“We thank the Almighty Allah for the blessings in our country and pray for our elected leaders to have the wisdom of leading the country to the right path.”
While urging Muslims to pray for peace in the country, the Sultan stressed the need to sustain the habits and behaviours exhibited during the month of Ramadan.
Recall that the NSCIA on Tuesday called on Muslims in the country to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1444A.H. immediately after sunset on Thursday, 29th Ramadan 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to April 20, 2023.
That was to be able to determine the exact day of this year’s Eid-el Fitr.
Eid-el-Fitr is celebrated upon completion of fasting in the month of Ramadan.
It was upon sighting the moon on the date by Muslims in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards that the Abubakar declared the day for Eid-el-Fitr.
