The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Wednesday night, declared the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1439AH and, by implications, declares Thursday May 17th as Ramadan 1st.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III therefore directed the Muslims in the country to commence the annual fasting that is one of the major five pillars of their religion, Islam.
Addressing a press conference of print, broadcasting and online journalists at the Sultan’s Palace at about 8.15pm on Wednesday, the Sultan said the new crescent signifying the beginning of the Ramadan fast was sighted in some parts of the including Demoroji in Isa District Sokoto, Bonny in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Gumel in Gombe, Buji, Maiduguri in Borno State, Zamfara State, Bauchi State, Damaturu in Yobe, Minna in Niger State and Dutse in Jigawa State.
Although more information were still being received as at the time of the announcement, but the information received so far from the moonsighting committees meeting also attended by The DEFENDER’s team prior to the declaration, it was said, were enough to take a position.
Speaking the Sultan said, “In accordance with the Islamic injunctions, we announce today Wednesday 1439A.H which is equivalent to May 16, 2018 has marked the end of the month of Sha’ban 1439A.H. which followed reliable reports of sighting from areas including Sokoto here, Maiduguri, Gombe, Zamfara, Bauchi, Minna, Rivers, etc, duly verified and certified by states and national moon sighting committees. Consequent upon which tomorrow Thursday May 17, 2018 is first of Ramadan’.’’
“We like to call on our Muslim brothers to devote themselves to the worship of Allah during the month and pray for our leaders in the country.
“We also urge all Muslims to use this month of Ramadan to dedicate themselves to the teaching of Islam and rededicate themselves to peaceful co-existence in the country,” Sultan advised.
