The PeriscopeFaith
The National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has advised the President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar that the crescent of Shawwal should be searched for on Tuesday, 11th May, 2021 equivalent to 29th day of Ramadan
The development was revealed in a press release Saturday, issued by the Deputy Secretary General NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu.
His came after for the first time, breaking the traditional way of searching for the moon, Saudi Arabia, announced the date of the Islamic calendar using astronomic technology rather than the traditional visual sighting of the moon, where Sheikh Abdullah Bin Suleiman Al Manea, member of the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars and Adviser at the Royal Court, on Monday, May 3, 2021, said that month Ramadhan would be 30 days this year, which suggested that Eid Al-Fitr will be observed on Thursday, May 13, according to astronomical calculations.
Below is the full text of NSCIA’s press release:
NSCIA/HQ/PR/014/8/5/21
Date: 26th Ramadan, 1442 AH: 8th May, 2021
END OF 1442 AH RAMADAN FAST CUM ‘IDUL-FITRI CELEBRATIONS
“Do not begin the fast until you sight the (Ramadan) crescent and do not terminate fasting until you sight it (Shawwal Crescent). If the new moon is concealed from you, then work out what it should be.”
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim
Ummah in Nigeria and all over the world on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan Fast, and is wishing them all Allah’s immeasurable rewards for fasting and His abundant blessings. The Council also prays that the Almighty Allah spare our lives to witness many happy returns of Ramadan on earth.
In preparation for the 1442 AH ‘Idul-Fitri celebrations, the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) of the NSCIA has advised the President-General that the crescent of Shawwal should be searched for on Tuesday, 11th May, 2021 equivalent to 29th Ramadan, 1442 AH. If the crescent is actually sighted
by informed persons on Tuesday night and His Eminence is so advised by the experts, he would address the Press to declare Wednesday, 12th May, 2021 as the first day of Shawwal (‘Id day). If, however, the crescent is not sighted on Tuesday night, Thursday, 13th May, 2021 automatically becomes the first of Shawwal, 1442 AH (‘Id day). A press statement to that effect would be issued on Tuesday night.
Muslims all over the country are hereby enjoined to be on the lookout for the directive of His Eminence, the President-General of the NSCIA, on the completion of this year’s Ramadan fast.
In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan.
1 Sheikh Dahir Bauchi 08036121311 Sayyadibashir26@yahoo.com
2 Sheikh Karibullah Kabara 08035537382 malamkabara@yahoo.com
3 Mal. Simwal Usman Jibrin 08033140010 simwaljibril@yahoo.com
4 Sheikh SalihuYaaqub 07032558231 Salihumy11@hotmail.com.com
5 Mal. Jafar Abubakar 08020878075 Jaafaraa1434@gmail.com
6 Alh. Abdullahi Umar 08037020607 waziringwandu@yahoo.com
7 Prof. J.M. Kaura 08067050641 Jmkaura56@yahoo.com
8 Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar 08036509363 Baumar277@gmail.com
9 Muhammad Rabiu Salahudeen 08035740333 muhammadrabiusalahudeen@gmail.com
10 Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke 08035050804 jentleasad@yahoo.com
11 Dr. Ganiy I. Agbaje 08028327463, 08057752980 Ganiy.agbaje@nasrda.gov.ng
gagbaje@yahoo.co.uk
12 Gafar M. Kuforiji 08033545208 kuforijiabdulwasiu@gmail.com
13 Prof. Usman El-Nafaty 08062870892 elnafaty@gmail.com
14 Mal. Ibrahim Zubairu Salihu, 08038522693 zubairusalisu@yahoo.com
15 Dr. Usman Hayatu Dukku, 0805 7041968 udukku@yahoo.com
16 Imam Manu Muhammad 08036999841 limaminmisau@gmail.com
17 Qadee Ahamad Bobboy 08035914285 adamawaemiratecouncil@yahoo.com
18 Prof. Z. I. Oboh Oseni 08033574431 oseni@unilorin.edu.ng, wazzioseni@gmail.com
19 Nurudeen Asunogie 08033533012 hamdallah1999@yahoo.com
20 Sheikh Bala Lau 08037008805, 08052426880 balalaujibwisnigeria@gmail.com
21 Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir 08065687545 ustaznasirabdulmuhyi@yahoo.com
22 Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad 08023141752 aahmadimam@yahoo.co.uk
23 Muhammad Yaseen Qamarud-Deen 08055322087 crescentgroup2000@gmail.com
24 Sheikh Lukman Abdallah 08052242252 abuyatamaa@gmail.com
25 Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi 08033139153 ssgummi@gmail.com
26 Alh. AbdulBariu Kareem 09096369117 Donbru11@yahoo.com
27 Prof. Kamil K. Oloso 08023098661 kkoloso@yahoo.com
28 Malam Usman Mahmud 08034540120 turjajawaizu@gmail.com
29 Malam Yahaya Boyi 08030413634 sultanofsokoto@yahoo.co.uk
30 UstazMukailAbdurraheem 08099370109 mikailabdurraheem@gmail.com
31 Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu 08037157100 sultanofsokoto@yaho.co.uk
While reminding the Ummah of the necessity of paying Zakatul-Fitri with the intention of lifting the hearts of the indigent members of the community, the Council urges all to ensure its delivery to the appropriate recipients (i.e. the poor) and guard against its diversion by any agent or intermediary.