The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared that fasting may continue on Sunday because Nigeria has not sighted the moon, indicating the end of the month of Ramadan.
NSCIA made this known in a statement signed by the Secretary-General, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, on Saturday.
According to The PUNCH, he also enjoined the Muslims to search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th of Ramadan, stressing, “If Muslims sight the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Sunday, March 30, 2025 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of Idul Fitr.”
The statement read, “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and the entire Muslim world on the auspicious occasion of the 1446 A.H. Idul Fitr.
“We beseech Allah to grant everyone the opportunity to witness many more of it in good health and divine guidance. In the spirit of Ramadan, Muslims are reminded that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the less privileged in society.
“The Council, therefore, appeals to all concerned Muslims to ensure that they comply and do so in good time. The stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan, but before the Eid prayer. Moreover, consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1446 A.H. immediately after sunset on Saturday, 29th Ramadan 1446 A.H., which is equivalent to 29th March 2025.”
The Sultan also maintained that in the event that the moon is not sighted, then Monday, March 31st, 2025, becomes Eid al-Fitr.
He also urged all Muslims to pray fervently to Allah during the conclusion of the month of Ramadan for peace, security and development in Nigeria.
Recall that Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that the crescent of Shawwal had been sighted.
It also added that Eid al-Fitr, marking the beginning of the new Islamic month, will now be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
This disclosure was made on Haramin’s official Facebook page, an official platform for the Muslim community worldwide.
“The crescent moon for the month of Shawwal 1446 was sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.”
