Sultan directs Nigerian Muslims to look out for new moon of Muharram Friday
*As Sultanate Council begins New Islamic Year assignment
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has told the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria to search for the new moon of Muharram 1446 AH today, Friday July 6, 2024, which is equivalent to Dhul-Hijjah 29, 1445 AH.
This was contained in a press statement issued and made available to newsmen in Sokoto by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman, Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, on Friday July 4, 2024 equivalent to Dhul-Hijjah 28, 1445 AH.
The statement further directed the Muslims to report its sighting to the nearest District Head (in North) and, in case other parts of the country the nearest Muslim leader for onward communication to the Sultanate Council in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee.
The two-paragraph statement read, “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that today, Friday 6th July 2024 which is equivalent to 29th day of Zulhijjah 1445 AH shall be the day to look for the new moon of Muharram 1446 AH.
“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Muharram 1446 on Friday and report its sighting to the nearest village or district head for onward communication to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni the Sultan of Sokoto.”
By this, the Sultan has begun another new year divine assignment of leadership guiding Muslims in proper way to worship their Lord to receive rewards from him.
The DEFENDER reports that all worship the Muslims perform in Islam are based on prescribed manner and time under guidance of an Amir abd that, in Nigeria, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar represents the symbol of that leadership.
If the crescent of Muharram 1416 AH is sighted at sunset today Friday 5 equivalent of Dhul-Hijjah 29, then the fasting month of Ramadan for the year will be nine months away.
