The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, has advised Muslims to look for the new moon of Shawwal 1443 After Hijarah on Saturday 30th April 2022, equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan 1443 After Hijrah.
The Director of Administration of the NSCIA, Arc. Zubairu Usman-Ugwu, disclosed this on Friday in a statement issued on behalf of the Sultan.
TheFact Nigeria reports that Sighting the new moon of Shawwal, which is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar marks the end of the Ramadan fast.
The Sultan enjoined the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1443 AH immediately after sunset on Saturday, April 30th, 2022, which is equivalent to 29th Ramadan, 1443 AH.
According to the statement, “If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character, then His Eminence (Sultan) would declare Sunday, May 1st 2022, as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr. However, if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Monday, May 2nd 2022, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.”
“In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, members of the NMSC can be contacted to report credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Shawwal 1443 AH,” he said.
He reminded that Zakatul Fitr (special Ramadan charity) is a compulsory food-levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the less privileged in the society.
He said, “The general practice is to give out the standard measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan and not later than before the eid prayer.”
Sultan Abubakar, who felicitated with the Nigerian Muslim ‘Ummah and indeed the entire Muslim worldwide, on the auspicious occasion of the 1443 AH ‘Idul Fitr, prayed Allah to grant every one the opportunity to witness many more of it.
He lamented over the hike in the prices of food and consumables in the country and appealed to the government to stem the tide of inflation.
He urged traders too to desist from the habit of arbitrarily increasing the price of food items
