By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Muslims in the country to look out for the crescent of the moon of Shawwal immediately after sunset on Thursday, 29 Ramadan which is April 20, 2023.
The Sultan gave the directive in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Administration, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu.
The Sultan, who is the President-General of the NSCIA, gave the directive following the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC).
He noted that if the crescent is sighted by Muslims in accordance with the moon-sighting and verification standards, the Sultan will declare Friday, April 21, 2023, as the first day of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr.
The NSCIA Director said if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Saturday, April 22, 2023, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.
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