END OF RAMADAN 1442 AH: Sultan of Sokoto directs search for new moon of Shawwal on Tuesday

*Emphasizes the necessity of Zakatul-Fitri for have-not Muslim ahead Sallah

*Urges wide publicity of moonsighting announcement by all media

*Calls on Muslims to pray for Nigeria, Govt, Leaders

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

In event that the new moon is sighted on Tuesday, it will mean the end of 1442 AH Ramadan fasting and Sallah Wednesday 12th May but, faithful will naturally count their fasting days to 30, if otherwise, and 1st Shawwal and Idul-Fitri will automatically be Thursday 13th of May, 2021.

The Sultan of Sokoto and Amir-ul Mu’mineen of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed Muslims all over the country to note Tuesday 29th day of Ramadan 1442 AH equivalent to 11th May 2021 as the day to search for the new moon of Shawwal, which is 10th month of Islamic calendar year.

In event that the new moon is sighted on Tuesday, it will mean the end of 1442 AH Ramadan fasting and Sallah Wednesday 12th May but, faithful will naturally count their fasting days to 30, if otherwise, and 1st Shawwal and Idul-Fitri will automatically be Thursday 13th of May, 2021, The DEFENDER reports on Sunday upon obtaining the Sultan’s directives via a statement posted on the Twitter handle of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

In the statement issued and signed by Deputy Secretary General of the nation’s apex Islamic body, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Sultan started by calling the attention of Muslims to the prophetic directives on commencing and ending Ramadan fast.

“Do not begin the fast until you sight the (Ramadan) crescent and do not terminate fasting until you sight it (Shawwal Crescent). If the new moon is concealed from you, then work out what it should be.” The Sultan quoted a Hadeeth of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad bin Abdullah and messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.

The statement following the directives of Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, who is President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said:

“In preparation for the 1442 AH ‘Idul-Fitri celebrations, the National Moon Sighting Committee (@moonsightingng ) of the NSCIA has advised the President-General that the crescent of Shawwal should be searched for on Tuesday, 11th May, 2021 equivalent to 29th Ramadan, 1442 AH.

“If the crescent is actually sighted by informed persons on Tuesday night and His Eminence is so advised by the experts, he would address the Press to declare Wednesday, 12th May, 2021 as the first day of Shawwal (‘Id day).

“If, however, the crescent is not sighted on Tuesday night, Thursday, 13th May, 2021 automatically becomes the first of Shawwal, 1442 AH (‘Id day). A press statement to that effect would be issued on Tuesday night.”

To this end it said: “Muslims all over the country are hereby enjoined to be on the lookout for the directive of His Eminence, the President-General of the NSCIA, on the completion of this year’s Ramadan fast.”

As an advance festivity message, the statement said: “The NSCIA, under the leadership of its President General & Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and all over the world on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan Fast, and is wishing them all Allah’s immeasurable rewards for fasting and His abundant blessings.

“The Council also prays that the Almighty Allah spare our lives to witness many happy returns of Ramadan on earth,” it prayed.

In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan, the NSCIA said in the Prof. Shehu’s statement.

National Moon Sighting Committee members to contact:

Necessity of Zakatul-Fitri

“While reminding the Ummah of the necessity of paying Zakatul-Fitri with the intention of lifting the hearts of the indigent, the Council urges all to ensure its delivery to the appropriate recipients (i.e. the poor) and guard against its diversion by any agent or intermediary.

“Though Ramadan may have come to an end, the lessons in it must continue to reflect in the lives of Muslims.

“The Council encourages them to continue praying for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, as they keep the virtues and gains of the sacred month as a spiritual guide towards our accelerated development as individuals and a nation.

Media and Publicity of Sultan’s announcement

“All media houses in the country are requested to kindly publicise the awaited announcement of the Moon-sighting by His Eminence, the President-General of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto.

“‘Id Mubarak in advance!” Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Deputy Secretary General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said.