RAMADAN: NSCIA directs Nigerian Muslims to search for new moon Sunday
*Lists contacts to report information of news moon, if sighted
*Urges well-to-do Muslims to assist others in new month
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 enjoined the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, 10th March 2024 which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
The Sultan’s directive was conveyed via statement titled “FELICITATION AND MOONSIGHTING FOR RAMADAN 1445 A.H.” with reference: NSCIA/HQ/PRS/059 dated 27th Sha’aban 1445 AH equivalent to 8th March 2024 copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER by headquarters of the Nigeria’s Islamic Council on Friday.
According to the statement, signed by Deputy Secretary General of the NSCIA, Prof. Salisu Shehu, following the routine advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), “If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Monday, 11th March 2024 as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH.
“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Tuesday, 12th March 2024, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1445 AH.”
Earlier in the statement, the NSCIA had described the month of Ramadan as that in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind and clear proof for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). “So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. present at his home), he must observe fasting that month”… (Q. Al-Baqarah 2:185)
It, therefore, in advance felicitates the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan fast, while praying that Allah spare the lives of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah exercise and to maximise the benefits therein.
In the meantime, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has listed in addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, phone numbers and email addresses of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) members that can be contacted to report credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan 1445 AH if sighted after sunset on Sunday.
See list of contacts below:
S/N NAME PHONE NO. EMAIL ADDRESS
1 Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi 08036121311 Sayyadibashir26@yahoo.com
2 Sheikh Karibullah Kabara 08035537382 malamkabara@yahoo.com
3 Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory 08023126335 habibelilory@ymail.com
4 Prof. Z. I. Oboh Oseni 08033574431 oseni@unilorin.edu.ng, wazzioseni@gmail.com
5 Mal. Simwal Usman Jibrin 08033140010 simwaljibril@yahoo.com
6 Sheikh Salihu Yakub 07032558231 Salihumy11@hotmail.com.com
7 Mal. Jafar Abubakar 08020878075 Jaafaraa1434@gmail.com
8 Alh. Abdullahi Umar (Wazirin Gwandu) 08037020607 waziringwandu@yahoo.com
9 Prof. J. M. Kaura 08067050641 Jmkaura56@yahoo.com
10 Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar 08036509363 Baumar277@gmail.com
11 Ustaz Muhammad Rabiu Salahudeen 08035740333 muhammadrabiusalahudeen@gmail.com
12 Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke 08035050804 jentleasad@yahoo.com
13 Dr. Ganiy I. Agbaje 08028327463 gagbaje@yahoo.co.uk
14 Gafar M. Kuforiji 08033545208 kuforijiabdulwasiu@gmail.com
15 Prof. Usman El-Nafaty 08062870892 elnafaty@gmail.com
16 Mal. Salihu B. Zubairu 08038522693 zubairusalisu@yahoo.com
17 Imam Manu Muhammad 08036999841 limaminmisau@gmail.com
18 Qadee Ahmad Bobboy 08035914285 adamawaemiratecouncil@yahoo.com
19 Ustaz Nurudeen Asunogie 08033533012 hamdallah1999@yahoo.com
20 Sheikh Bala Lau 08037008805 balalaujibwisnigeria@gmail.com
21 Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir 08065687545 ustaznasirabdulmuhyi@yahoo.com
22 Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad 08023141752 aahmadimam@yahoo.co.uk
23 Muhammad Yaseen Qamarud-Deen 08055322087 crescentgroup2000@gmail.com
24 Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu (Wazirin Sokoto) 08037157100 sultanofsokoto@yaho.co.uk
25 Sheikh Lukman Imam Abdullahi 08052242252 abuyatamaa@gmail.com
26 Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi 08033139153 ssgummi@gmail.com
27 Alh. AbdulBariu Kareem 09096369117 Donbru11@yahoo.com
28 Prof. Kamil K. Oloso 08023098661 kkoloso@yahoo.com
29 Malam Usman Mahmud 08034540120 turjajawaizu@gmail.com
30 Malam Yahaya Boyi (Sarkin Malamai Sokoto) 08030413634 sultanofsokoto@yahoo.co.uk
31 Ustaz Mukail Abdurraheem 08099370109 mikailabdurraheem@gmail.com
32 Ustaz Nurudeen Ibrahim 08027091623 Nurudeen.a.o.ibrahim@gmail.com
“In the face of the current economic hardship, Council appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during and after the month of Ramadan. The Council also admonishes traders to neither hoard food products, nor unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of the fast.
“We urge the Muslims to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to pray that Allah grant the Palestinians His divine support and liberate them from their oppressors.
“The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the Country to be on the lookout for the Ramadan crescent on the night of Sunday 10th of March 2024 and await the official announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1445 AH Ramadan fast.
“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance. Allahuma Baligna Ramadan. Amin,” it prayed in the Prof. Salisu Shehu’s statement.
