It is Eid-el-Fitri and Muslims in Nigeria are joining their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the occasion.
Eid-el-Fitri is the muslim festival marking the end of the month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal.
During Ramadan which is described as a glorious month, muslims all over the world fast and pray.
The fasting is either for 29 days or 30 days depending on the sighting of the moon.
During the month, muslims attend communal prayers and embark on charity which is described as zakat al-fitri during the Eid-el-Fitri.
On Eid-el-Fitri, muslims dress in their best attires and troop to prayer grounds in their neighbourhood.
The announcement of Tuesday as Eid-el-Fitri was made by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
He disclosed that the new moon had been sighted in some states of the country.
Ahead of the celebration in Nigeria, the leadership NSCIA called on Nigerian muslims to look out for the new moon which will mark the beginning of the month of Shawwal and celebration of Eid-el-Fitri
The statement by the NSCIA’s Deputy Secretary-General, Professor Salisu Shehu, specifying that reads in part:
“Following the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1440 AH immediately after sunset on Monday, June 3, 2019 equivalent to Ramadan 29, 1440 AH. If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, His Eminence would declare Tuesday, June 4, 2019 as the first day of Shawwal and the day of ‘idul fitr.”
“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Wednesday, June 5, 2019 automatically becomes the first day of Shawwal, 1440 AH and the day of ‘idul fitr.
“Muslims all over the country are hereby enjoined to be on the lookout for the directive of His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the termination of this year’s Ramadan fast.”
