Eid el-fitr: Look for Shawwal moon Thursday — NSCIA
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has urged Muslims across the country to look for the new moon of Shawwal tomorrow, June 14, 2018.
The Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the Council, Prof Salisu Shehu, said yesterday in a statement that this was sequel to the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC).
“The President-General enjoins Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1439 AH immediately after sunset on Thursday, June 14, 2018 equivalent to Ramadan 29, 1439 AH. If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, His Eminence (Sultan) would declare Friday, June 15, 2018 as the first day of Shawwal and the day of ‘Eid-el-fitr.
“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Saturday, June 16, 2018 automatically becomes the first day of Shawwal, 1439 AH and the day of ‘Eid-el-fitr. Muslims all over the country are hereby enjoined to be on the lookout for the directive of His Eminence, the PresidentGeneral of NSCIA, on the termination of this year’s Ramadan fast,” Shehu said.
The Sultan who felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah (community) in Nigeria and all over the world on this year’s Ramadan Fast, also prays that Allah accepts it as an act of Ibadah (worship).
While reminding the Ummah of the necessity of paying Zakatul-Fitri with the intention of lifting the hearts of the indigent members of the community, the council urges all to ensure its delivery to the appropriate recipients (that is the poor) and guard against its diversion by any agent or intermediary.
He also listed members of the NMSC and other Muslims leaders who could be contacted across the country including Sheikh Tahir Bauchi 08032103733, Sheikh Karibullah Kabara 08035537382, Mal. Simwal Usman Jibrin 08033140010, Sheikh Salihu Yaaqub 07032558231, Mal. Jafar Abubakar 08020878075, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar 08037020607, Prof. J.M. Kaura 08067050641, Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar 08036509363, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory 08023126335 and Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere 08033881335.
Others are, Sheikh AbdurRazzaq Ishola 08023864448, Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke 08035050804, Dr. Ganiy I. Agbaje 08028327463, Gafar M. Kuforiji 08033545208, Prof. Usman El-Nafaty 08062870892, Mal. Ibrahim Zubairu Salisu 08038522693, Dr. Usman Hayatu Dukku 08057041968, Imam Manu Muhammad 08036999841, Chief Imam of Yola Central Mosque 08035914285, Prof. Z. I. Oboh Oseni 08033574431, Nurudeen Asunogie 08033533012 and Sheikh Bala Lau 08037008805.
Others are Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir 08065687545, Muhammad Nasir AbdulMuhyi 08065687545, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad 08023141752, Muhammad Yaseen Qamarud-Deen 07032558231, Sheikh Lukman Abdallah 08037861132, Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi 08033139153, Sheikh Adam Idoko 08036759892 and Alhaji Yusuf Nwoha 08030966956.