• Oloyede urges Muslims to pay Zakatul Fitri ahead Eid
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has asked Muslims in the country to be on the lookout for the new moon of Shawwal, immediately after sunset on Monday, 29th Ramadan 1445 A.H, April 8, 2024.
Consequently, the President Tinubu led administration has declared Tuesday, April 9th and Wednesday, 10th April, 2024 as holidays to mark this year’s Eid-il-Fitr celebrations.
In a statement signed by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Is-haq Oloyede, the apex body for the Nigerian Muslims said the council, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, had enjoined all Muslims to look out for the moon.
Oloyede added that if Muslims sight the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Tuesday, April 9, 2024 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of Eid-il-Fitr.
However, if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Wednesday, April 10, 2024, automatically becomes the day of Eid-il-Fitr.
The apex Islamic body, while felicitating with the Nigerian Muslim ‘Ummah and the entire Muslim world on the auspicious occasion of the 1445 A.H. ‘Idul Fitr, prays to Allah to grant everyone the opportunity to witness many more of it in good health and divine guidance.
He reminded them that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the under privileged in the society.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement on Sunday signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Aishetu Ndayako, congratulated all Muslim faithful for the successful completion of the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
He called on Muslim faithful to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, good neighbourliness, compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to embrace unity to improve and achieve peace and oneness in the country.
He wished all Muslim faithful a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations and prayed that the peace, blessings and favour of Allah be with everyone and Nigeria.