It’s once again the month of holiness as the Muslim faithfuls commence Ramadan today, being May 6, 2019.
The crescent moon was sighted in several states of the nation as in many nations across the globe. The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar who is also the head of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), declared on Sunday night that today would be the first day of Ramadan in Nigeria. He made this declaration via radio and television broadcast.
The sultan stated that messages of moon sighting were received from Islam clerics and organizations in the country;
“Upon due verification and authentication by the national moon sighting committee and states committees’ confirmation, as well as routine scrutiny, the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan signifies the end of Sha’aban 1440 AH.
In accordance with Islamic law, the Muslim Ummah is to commence fasting on Monday, May 6, 2019 accordingly,” he said.
He announced that the new moon sighted in many places across the country indicated that Sunday is the end of the 8th Islamic month of Sha’ban.
During Ramadan every healthy adult Muslim is expected to fast from dawn until dusk. In the holy month of Ramadan, every Muslim must abstain from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. And acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are encouraged during the holy month of Ramadan.
The sultan called on all Muslims to adhere to the requirements of the Holy Month; in full worship to Allah and to use the period to pray for the nation and its leaders.
“We further call on Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious or tribal differences,” he said.
Fasting, in the month of Ramadan, is one of the five pillars of Islam, thus, every adult Muslim is obliged to observe the month of Ramadan.
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