Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has advised Muslims to watch for the crescent of Shawwal 1444 AH beginning Thursday.
On Wednesday, Abubakar made this request in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu.
The statement partly reads, “This is to inform Muslim Ummah that Thursday, April 20, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan 1444 AH shall be the day to look for the new moon of Shawwal 1444 AH.
“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Shawwal 1444 AH on Thursday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan, ”Junaidu said.
The sultan prayed Allah to support the Muslims in the discharge of their religious duty.
The sighting of the new moon will signify the end of the one-month compulsory fasting by Muslims across Nigeria.
Shawwal is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.