Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar II, has directed the Muslim Ummah to begin the search for the new moon of Ramadan 1447 AH from today.
Abubakar made the call in a statement issued yesterday by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Professor Sambo Junaidu.
The statement reads: “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Tuesday, February 17, equivalent to the 29th day of Sha’aban 1447 AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1447 AH.
“Muslims are therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Ramadan 1447 AH on Tuesday and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan,” it said.
It added that if the new moon is sighted, the Sultan can be reached through the following phone numbers: 0803 715 7100, 0806 630 3077, 0803 596 5322, 0803 594 5903 and 0706 714 6900.
Abubakar prayed to Allah to assist all Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, communal prayer, reflection and charity.
The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam and lasts 29 or 30 days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. NAN
