The Periscope reporter
It used to be, as it was revealed that whenever a moon is sighted in either of the countries; Nigeria or Niger, irrespective of whether or not Saudi Arabia would honour to join, the Ummah in the given neighbours would begin or end the Ramadhan fasting.
However, situation changes as the month of Shawwal crescent is reported to be sighted in Niger Republic on Tuesday, as announced by the Prime minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, marking the end of Ramadhan at 29 days, for Eid El-Fitr to be celebrated on Wednesday.
However, even though neighbours, joining Saudi Arabia and other countries in the globe, Nigeria would again complete 30 days fasting, failing to sight the month Shawwal crescent on Tuesday, to celebrate Eid El-Fitr on Thursday, as announced by The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto in a press release issued Tuesday by the Council’s Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu.
Below is the full text of the press release:
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 – wishes to inform the Nigerian Muslim Ummah that there was no proven report of the sighting of the crescent of Shawwal, 1442 AH on the 29th of Ramadan, 1442 AH.
Ramadan fast will therefore continue tomorrow Wednesday, 12th May 2021 as the 30th
day of Ramadan.
Consequently, Thursday 13th May, 2021 is hereby declared as 1st of Shawwal, 1442 AH and the day of Eid-il-fitr.
The Council prays that Almighty Allah accept our fasting and other virtuous acts in Ramadan and grant us all peaceful and blissful Eid celebrations.
Wassalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah.
Prof. Salisu Shehu
Deputy Secretary-General,
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.