*As Emir of Ilorin, Hon. Abdul-Lateef counsel
The new moon of 1440 (2019) Ramadan has been sighted according to a declaration by Leader of Nigerian Muslims and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
Sultan Abubakar, making the declaration in his Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto Palace Sunday night, said Monday May 6 is therefore the first day of Ramadan 1440 and directed Muslims to commence their fast for days of the holy month.
The DEFENDER, which was earlier at the Sultanate Council and National Moonsighting Committee collation centre for the processing of information received across the country, reports that the new moon of Ramadan was sighted in Minna, Niger State as confirmed to the National Moonsighting Committee and Katsina town in Katsina State after Magrib prayer after Magrib prayer on Sunday.
It was also confirmed to have been sighted in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State and Kano, Kano State.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of Hijrah calendar, is compulsory for all healthy and mentally sound Muslims being one of the five pillars of Islam.
The President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs said his directives for the commencement of 1440 Ramadan fasting followed reports of moonsighting received from Muslim leaders and organisations across the country, marking the end of Sha’ban 1440.
He said: “Reliable reports of moonsighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across the country, which were duly verified and authenticated by us, the national and states’ moonsighting committees.
“Consequently, tomorrow Monday the 6th day of May 2019 becomes the first day of Ramadan 1440 AH.
“We therefore call on all Muslim Ummah to commence fasting accordingly,” the Sultan said.
“We like to use this opportunity to inform the Muslims to devote themselves fully to Ibadah (worship) throughout the holy month, pray fervently for the blessing of Almighty Allah for our leaders at all levels to succeed in steering the affairs of our country and for the sustainable peace and stability.
“We also urge all Muslims, during this month of Ramadan, to dedicate themselves to the teachings of Islam and continue to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious and tribal differences.
“May Almighty Allah reward us for the Ibadah we are going to offer in this month. We say Ramadan Mubarak to all of us and wasalamotullahi alaykum waramotullahi wabarakallahu.”
The DEFENDER recalls the Emir of Ilorin, Justice Ibrahim Sulu Gambari (Retired) and Lagos State Commissioner for Homes Affairs, Hon. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef had on Friday, at separate occasions, advised Nigerian Muslims against preempting leadership of the Ummah in the announcement for commencement of Ramadan fast.
The Emir, in a statement sent to us by National Secretary of Shehu Alimi Foundation, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, had urged residents of the state to watch out for the crescent of the moon signifying the commencement of the month of Ramadan for this year.
