The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III has announced that the new Crescent of Shawwal 1441 was not sighted in Nigeria today, Friday, May 22.
Alhaji Abubakar therefore announced that this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration will be on Sunday, May 24.
In a press statement signed by the Deputy Secretary-General, the Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Sultan of Sokoto called on Nigerian Muslims to fast tomorrow, Saturday, making the 2020 Ramadan fast complete 30, the first time in decades.
Full Press Statement
I have been authorised by His Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto to inform the general public that because no information, that has been proven beyond reasonable doubt, has been received about the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal, Ramadan fast will continue tomorrow Saturday (23 May) and will be counted as 30th of Ramadan. In this regard, Sunday 24th May is hereby declared as 1st Shawwal, 1441.
ON behalf of His Eminence, we pray that Allah accepts our fasting and other virtuous acts in Ramadan and that we will have peaceful and blissful Eid celebrations. May Allah in His Infinite Mercy quicken the eradication of the Corona Virus in Nigeria and all over the World.
Wassalamu alaikum wa-Rahmatullah.
Prof. Salisu Shehu
Deputy Secretary-General,
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
