By Kemi Kasumu, General Editor
The month long Ramadan fasting of 1439AH has been declared ended by Sultan of Sokoto and Sarikin Musulumi of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The Sultan’s declaration came on the heels of sighting of new moon of Shawwal, which is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar year meaning that Friday June 15, 2018 is Shawwal 1, 1439AH and, according to the Leader of the Nigerian Muslim Community, is automatically the Day of Sallah, Eid-ul-Fitri for this year.
Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who is President General of the nation’s apex body for Muslims, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said the new moon of Shawwal was sighted in Sokoto, Borno, Zaria, Kaduna, Mubi, Jos, Dutse, Zamfara, Jama, Nasarawa, Yobe and many cities in the country.
Making his declaration the world number 17 most influential Muslim leader and Africa’s fourth most powerful monarch congratulated the Islamic faithful, prayed that Allah would accept as act of worship their spiritual and physical efforts during the past month of Ramadan and accept the prayers they offered for the leaders of Nigeria in making them successfully steer the affairs of the country.
The Sultan’s broadcast event was witnessed live by The DEFENDER and the speech read:
“In accordance with Islamic Law, we have the pleasure to announce that today Thursday the 29th Day of Ramadan 1439 after Hijra of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which is equivalent to 14th June 2018, has marked the end of Ramadan 1439.
“Reliable reports of moon sighting were received from Muslim Leaders and Organisations across the Country, which were duly verified and authenticated by us, the state and National Moon Sighting Committees.
“Sokoto, Borno, Zaria, Kaduna, Mubi, Jos, Dutse, Zamfara, Jama, Nasarawa, Yobe and many cities in the Country (were places the new moon has been sighted).
“Consequently, tomorrow Friday, the 15th Day of June 2018, becomes the First Day of Shawwal 1439AH and is the Sallah day.
“May Allah (SWT) reward us for the Ibadat we performed in the month of Ramadan with Aljannat Firdaus and the prayer we offered for the blessings of Allah for our leaders in Nigeria to succeed in steering the affairs of our great Nation and the World in general, amen.
“We also call on all Muslims to continue to live in peace with one another irrespective of religious or ethnic differences for our dear country to overcome challenges facing us.”
