The president-general of the Nigerian supreme council for Islamic affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Thursday declared that Ramadan will start on Friday.
The Sultan who had earlier asked muslim faithfuls to be on the look out for the new moon, confirmed in a statement by Salisu Shehu, deputy secretary-general of the council, that the new moon had been sighted.
The statement read, “Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General (Sultan) enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1441 AH immediately after sunset on Thursday, April 23, 2020, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1441 AH.”
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Friday, April 24, 2020 as the first day of Ramadan 1441 AH. “If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Saturday, April 25, 2020 automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1441 AH.”
The Sultan also urged Muslims to shun congregational gatherings and maintain physical distancing throughout Ramadan as part of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Regarded as a holy month, Ramadan is the period when Muslims observe fasting and prayers and must
abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to sunset.
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