By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria to observe the crescent of Shawwal 1445AH at sunset on Monday 8th April 2024 equivalent to 29th Ramadan 1445AH.
Chaurman, Sultanate Council, Sokoto’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, conveyed the directive in a statement issued in Sokoto on Sunday.
According to the statement, “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Monday, April 8, equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan 1445AH, will be the day to look for the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH.
“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH on Monday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan.
“Furthermore, the public can report sightings of the new moon through the following telephone numbers: 08037157100, 07067416900, 08066303077, 08036149757, 08035965322, and 08099945903,” it stated.
The Sultan prayed for Allah’s continued assistance to Muslims in fulfilling their religious duties.
Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, immediately follows Ramadan, marking the commencement of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The month symbolizes a new beginning and spiritual rejuvenation after a month of purification, offering ample opportunities to sustain the positive habits cultivated during Ramadan.
Shawwal is the tenth month of the lunar-based Islamic calendar. Shawwāl stems from the verb shāla which means to ‘lift or carry’, generally to take or move things from one place to another, so named because a female camel normally would be carrying a fetus at this time of year.
The first day of Shawwāl is Eid al-Fitr, fasting is prohibited. Some Muslims observe six days of optional fasting during Shawwāl beginning the day after Eid ul-Fitr since fasting is prohibited on this day.
