By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Saturday April 2, 2022 equivalent to Yaomal Sabt Ramadan 1, 1443 AH as day for the commencement of Ramadan fasting this year.
The Sultan, in accordance with the Shari’a, announced the coming of the end of Sha’aban “today 29th Sha’ban 1443 A.H. which is equivalent to 1st April, 2022.”
He said reports about sighting of the new moon of the month of Ramadan were received from various Islamic leaders across the country and, after processing all the messages gathered and approved, confirmed Friday April 1 as end of Sha’ban.
“Therefore, today 1st April, 2022 marks the end of Sha’ban 1443 and tomorrow, inshallah, we will start fasting in accordance with Shari’a.”
He said, “We are having reports we got from various states including Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Katsina, Plateau, Kaduna and Kano. All confirm sighting of the moon.
“Consequently, we call on all Muslims to start the fasting in this new Holy Month of Ramadan tomorrow, inshallah.”
The Sultan, however, seized the opportunity provided by the moon sighting declaration to call on Muslims across Nigeria “to double their efforts in praying to Almighty Allah to bring peace and stability to this great country Nigeria”.
He also asked Muslims to double efforts in acts of worship that will enable them reap the benefits of the month here and in the hereafter.
Sultan Abubakar called on Muslims, once more, “to work towards peaceful co-existence with everybody in this great country, pray for our leaders; political leaders, religious leaders and all leaders at all levels so that Almighty Allah will give them the strength and wisdom to steer the affairs of Nigeria to the promised land true development.”
To leaders, the Sultan encouraged them “to double their efforts and bring the insecurity in the country to an end.”
