Search for new moon of Ramadan 1438AH Friday night, Sultan tells Muslims

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has asked Muslims of Nigeria to look out for the new moon of Ramadan 1438AH on the night of Friday Sha’ban 29, 1438AH equuvalent of May 26, 2017 preparatory to the commencement of fasting in fulfillment of one of five pillars of Islam.

Director of Administration in the headquarters of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Ustaz Isa Christian Okonkwo, disclosed this in a statement he issued on behalf of the nation’s number one Muslim leader, on Thursday, in Abuja.

According to the statement, efforts had been made by the NSCIA leader since the last Ramadan fasting to ensure announcement of moonsighting on every lunar month basis, based on the advice of the National Moonsighting Sighting Committee (NMSC).

It said it was based on the advice of the NMSC that the Sultan had enjoined Muslims all over the country to search for the new moon of Ramadan 1438AH on Friday.

The statement read: “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of Ramadan, 1438 A.H. The Council prays that Allah grant the Ummah the opportunity to maximise the benefits and blessings of the Holy Month.

“It is appreciative to note that, since the last Ramadan fast, the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) of NSCIA, advises the President-General on the commencement of every lunar month. Based upon that, the President-General, always makes monthly declaration of the commencement of every lunar month.

“Following the advice of NMSC, the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1438 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, 26th May, 2017 equivalent to 29th Sha’ban 1438 AH. If the crescent is actually sighted by Muslims of impeccable characters on the said night and communicated to the appropriate quarters, His Eminence would declare Saturday, 27th May, 2017 as the first day of Ramadan. If, however, the crescent is not sighted on that day, then, Sunday, 28th May, 2017 automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1438 AH.

“The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the Country to be on the lookout for the directive of His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1438 AH Ramadan fast.

“In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) who can be contacted for information and clarification are as follows:

1 Mallam Hafiz Wali 08036009090 hafizswali@yahoo.com 2 Sheikh Tahir Bauchi 08032103733, 08033058201 Sayyadibashir26@yahoo.com; Usmanusman9280@gmail.com
3 Sheikh Karibullah Kabara 08035537382; 4 Mal. Simwal Usman Jibrin 08033140010 simwaljibril@yahoo.com; 5 Sheikh Salihu Yaaqub 07032558231 Salihumy11@yahoo.com; 6 Mal. Jafar Abubakar 08020878075 jaafaraabubakar@yahoo.com; 7 Alh. Abdullahi Umar 08037020607 waziringwandu@yahoo.com; 8 Prof. J.M. Kaura 08067050641 Jmkaura56@yahoo.com; 9 Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar 08036509363 Baumar277@gmail.com; 10 Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory 08023126335 habibelilory@ymail.com; 11 Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere
08033881335 pgsouthwest85@gmail.com; 12 Muhammad Rabiu Salahudeen 08035740333 muhammadrabiusalahudeen@gmail.com; 13 Sheikh Abdur-Razzaq Ishola 08023864448
08051111063 hustaz@yahoo.com; 14 Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke 08035050804 jentleasad@yahoo.com; Dr. Ganiy I. Agbaje 08028327463, 08057752980 Ganiy.agbaje@nasrda.gov.ng; gagbaje@yahoo.co.uk
7 Gafar M. Kuforiji 08033545208 kuforijiabdulwasiu@gmail.com
S/N NAME PHONE NO. E-MAIL
1 Prof. Usman El-Nafaty 08062870892 elnafaty@gmail.com
2 Mal. Ibrahim Zubairu Salisu
08038522693 zubairusalisu@yahoo.com
3 Dr. Usman Hayatu Dukku
0805 704 1968 udukku@yahoo.com
4 Imam Manu
Muhammad
08036999841 limaminmisau@gmail.com
5 Chief Imam of Yola Central Mosque
08035914285
S/N NAME PHONE NO. E-MAIL
1 Prof. Z. I. Oboh Oseni 08033574431 oseni@unilorin.edu.ng
wazzioseni@gmail.com
2 Nurudeen Asunogie D. 08033533012 hamdallah1999@yahoo.com
S/N NAME PHONE NO. E-MAIL
1 Sheikh Bala Lau 08037008805
08052426880
balalaujibwisnigeria@gmail.com
2 Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir
08065687545
3 Muhammad Nasir AbdulMuhyi
08065687545
08024333381
ustaznasirabdulmuhyi@yahoo.com
4 Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad
08023141752 aahmadimam@yahoo.co.uk
5 Muhammad Yaseen Qamarud-Deen
07032558231 info@bmics.com
6 Sheikh Lukman Abdallah
08037861132
7 Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi
08033139153 ssgummi@gmail.com
S/N NAME PHONE NO. E-MAIL
1 Sheikh Adam Idoko 08036759892 imamcentral@yahoo.com
2 Alh. Yusuf Nwoha 08030966956
08026032997
yusufnwoha@gmail.com
3 Mal. Isa Okonkwo 08037861407 isaokonkwo@gmail.com

“As we wish all Nigerian Muslims happy Ramadan in advance, we enjoin each and every Muslim to use the spirit of Ramadan to seek the pleasure of Allah towards our national development. We also urge all of us to seize the opportunity of Ramadan to pray to Allah to grant our President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, a speedy recovery and the wherewithal to pilot the affairs of Nigeria to greatness (Ameen).

“Allahuma Baligna Ramadan!” The statement said.