In his message to the nation on the beginning of the Ramadan, President Buhari said fasting is not just merely meant to stay hungry or thirsty, but an opportunity to strive for inner purification and self-accountability. The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said “It is meant to inculcate righteousness and discipline.”
In a response to the declaration by Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Wednesday night, of Thursday 17th of May 2018 as 1st of Ramadan 1439AH, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has sent his greetings to Muslims as the month-long Ramadan fast begins.
Muslims are expected to fast for 29 days but extend their counting (of any Islamic lunar month) to 30 should the crescent heralding the arrival of new month not appear on the night following the 29th day.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III, making the announcement Wednesday night, in his palace in Sokoto, said the commencement of the fast followed reports of sighting of the moon across various states of the federation which marked the end of the month of Sha’ban that is eighth month of the year 1439 AH.
Addressing a press conference of print, broadcasting and online journalists at the Sultan’s Palace at about 8.15pm on Wednesday, the Sultan said the new crescent signifying the beginning of the Ramadan fast
The Ramadan crescent, according to the multifaceted leader, was sighted in some parts of the including Demoroji in Isa District Sokoto, Bonny in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Gumel in Gombe, Buji, Maiduguri in Borno State, Zamfara State, Bauchi State, Damaturu in Yobe, Minna in Niger State and Dutse in Jigawa State.
Speaking the Sultan said, “In accordance with the Islamic injunctions, we announce today Wednesday 1439A.H which is equivalent to May 16, 2018 has marked the end of the month of Sha’ban 1439A.H. which followed reliable reports of sighting from areas including Sokoto here, Maiduguri, Gombe, Zamfara, Bauchi, Minna, Rivers, etc, duly verified and certified by states and national moon sighting committees. Consequent upon which tomorrow Thursday May 17, 2018 is first of Ramadan’.’’
In his message to the nation on the beginning of the Ramadan, President Buhari said fasting is not just merely meant to stay hungry or thirsty, but an opportunity to strive for inner purification and self-accountability.
The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said “It is meant to inculcate righteousness and discipline.”
He enjoined fasting Muslims to increase their love for humanity, acts of charity, kindness, generosity and gratitude.
He called on Muslims and all Nigerians to always remember men and women who are less fortunate than themselves and to help the government in confronting the challenges facing the nation.
