• Fed Govt declares tomorrow, Wednesday public holidays
• Tinubu, Shettima in Lagos, Maiduguri for festival
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed the Muslim Ummah to observe the crescent of Shawwal 1445AH starting Monday.
A statement yesterday by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said if the moon is sighted today, the Sultan would declare tomorrow as the first day of Shawwal and the day of Eid-el-Fitr.
But he said if the crescent is not sighted today, the fasting would hold tomorrow and Wednesday, April 19, becomes the day of Eid-el-Fitr.
The statement said: “…In the spirit of Ramadan, Muslims are reminded that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims to be given to the less privileged in the society.
“The Council, therefore, appeals to all concerned to ensure that they do not only comply but also do so in good time. The stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan but before the eid prayer.
“Moreover, consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1445 A.H. immediately after sunset on Monday, 29th Ramadan 1445 A.H. which is equivalent to 8th April 2024.
“It must be noted that, according to scientific calculations, the expected time for the Shawwal moon conjunction in Nigeria is Monday, April 8, 2024 at 07:21 p.m. That, notwithstanding, as Islamic tradition stipulates, Muslims are enjoined to search for the crescent of Shawwal on Ramadan 29…
“Furthermore, the public can report sightings of the new moon through the following telephone numbers: 08037157100, 07067416900, 08066303077, 08036149757, 08035965322, and 08099945903.”
Also, the Federal Government has declared tomorrow and Wednesday, April 10 as public holidays to mark Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the public holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.
He congratulated all Muslim Ummah for the successful completion of the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo urged the Muslim Ummmah to imbibe and practice the virtues that entails kindness, love, tolerance, peace, good neighbourliness, compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
In a statement by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Aishetu Ndayako, the minister urged Nigerians to continue in the spirit of unity in order to improve and achieve peace and oneness in the country.
Also, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have arrived in Lagos and Maiduguri ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The President’s aircraft touched down yesterday at 4.30 p.m. at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Ikeja.
President Tinubu was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu andS some members of the State Executive Council (Exco).
He is expected to return to Abuja after the Eid-el-Fitr holidays.
Shettima, who arrival the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri yesterday, was received by Borno State Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur, members of the Exco and chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
