*As Sultan Palace wears new look waiting for Sallah
By Kemi Kasumu, General Editor
Sokoto, the seat of Caliphate where the Leader of Nigerian Muslim Community resides, on Saturday beamed with activities. Whereas the Muslims have regret on one side that the month of mercy and forgiveness of sins that Ramadan represents would leave them for another one year, they are on the other hand full of joy however that they will, depending on whether the new moon of Shawwal is sighted Saturday night or not, be having a good time to celebrate in accordance with the dictate of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, Muhammad (SAW).
Although the weather in Sokoto is in high temperature, the joy of Sallah coming on the way affects not the mood of the people preparing as children were sighted along the Sultan Abubakar Way, Bello Way buying things and some, particular female children led by their mothers to buy new hijab. Some tailors were also sighted inside town very busy working to ensure all works finish on jobs at hand in order not to disappoint owners of those clothes should be sighted Saturday night.
Kano Road and a portion of Bello Way are particularly banks areas in Sokoto. Each ATM centre was found to be thickly crowed by people trying to withdraw money for Sallah as at period between 1.00pm and 3.00pm when our reporter visited the areas.
Of note is that, vehicle traffics were sighted at some of the round-about in the metropolis indicating that more people visited town to join their families in friends in celebrating this year’s Sallah in the Seat Caliphate where Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III is both traditional and spiritual head.
The Palace of the Sarikin Mu’mineen of Nigeria, Sultan, itself, is not left out of the preparation as the main gate and the rest of the walls were seen undergoing repainting. The idea might be to enter the Sallah (great event of Islam) in good look as Islam itself encourages Muslims to relate with Sallah, like it is the case on Jumah Day, with new wears and looks.
Reports also reaching us from the Federal Capital Territory Abuja have it that Muslims in nation’s Seat of Power, had begun preparations for the celebration to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting.
Commercial activities as at Saturday afternoon were in top gear in the areas like Garki, Wuse, Jabi markets.
People at Garki, Wuse and Jabi markets were busy buying and selling essential items, such as food items and drinks, in bulk and retail in preparation for the Sallah.
Hajiya Amina Katagun, a civil servant, at the Garki Market said she was happy to witness the end of Ramadan, but lamented the high cost of foodstuff and other goods in the market, which is however blamed attitude of Nigerians towards festive period when they wickedly hike prices in market.
She said that the high cost of goods would limit the fun and merriment for her and many other families that were struggling to live daily.
“Alhamdulillah, fasting is about to be over; all praises is due to Allah.
“My worry now is the price of things in the market; so many families cannot afford to buy the few things they needed for the Sallah due to the cost of foodstuff and other goods.
“Though it is the `small’ Sallah, we still need to cook to give out to our neighbours whether they are Muslims or not, and the less privileged,’’ she said.
Mr. Mohammed Suleiman, an engineer, at the market said that he was thankful to God for keeping him all through the season.
“I am grateful to God for keeping me alive to witness this year’s Ramadan.
“I am, however, unhappy because of the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern part of the country.
“As the Ramadan winds down and Nigerians are preparing to celebrate Sallah, we must remind ourselves of the ultimate sacrifices others have been forced to make with their lives in this country.
“So, I urge all Nigerians to pray to the Almighty Allah to give the country peace, unity and stability as we continue the celebration.
“We need to intensify prayers for peace and stability in the country, because nothing can be achieved without peace,’’ Suleiman said.
Mr Kabir Kato, a cobbler, in FCT, said he was grateful to Almighty Allah for giving him the opportunity to participate in the fasting, while praying for Allah`s blessing that comes with the fasting.
“In these last few days of Ramadan, the excitement of the Sallah celebration is palpable; I am happy to be alive till the end.
“A lot of blessings come with the observation of Ramadan, I thank Allah for keeping me and my family alive to participate in this year celebration,’’ Kato said.
Kato said he was expecting to receive lots of gifts from elders and philanthropists, who usually demonstrate their love by giving gifts during the Sallah.
Owners of some of the fun centres visited are optimistic of patronage during the celebration, with many already putting things in shape in great expectation.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival that marks the end of Ramadan the Islamic holy month of fasting, an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
The religious Eid-ul-Fitr is of a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast, the holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset Ramadan fasting.
The day of the Eid-ul-Fitr, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal.
The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of the new moon by local Islamic authorities, hence in Nigeria, the responsibility of announcing the new month to start or end Ramadan fast rests on the shoulders of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
All ears already on the ground to hear from him as Muslims all over Nigeria wait anxiously to know what result of the search for new moon throughout Nigeria will be Saturday night to enable them know whether Sunday or Monday will be Sallah.
In the meantime, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday in his Eid-ul-Fitri message signed by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Habib Aruna saluting Muslims, urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of tolerance, unity and cooperation regardless of their ethnic, religious or social status, saying that it was only in such atmosphere that the nation can make meaningful progress.
Also in the mood of Sallah are the Ondo State Muslims who said they are waiting on the Sultan to determine whether Sunday will be Sallah.
“We have no choice other than what Allah and His messenger have directed us to do. Sultan being our leader will Saturday night direct us through the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on when we should celebrated based on information available to him,” a cleric said to The DEFENDER from Akure Saturday afternoon.
