Ramadan 2023: Look out for new moon, NSCIA urges Nigerian Muslims

Ramadan 2023: Look out for new moon, NSCIA urges Nigerian Muslims

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerian Muslims to look out for the crescent moon of Ramadan 1444AH from Wednesday.

This urge was made in a statement by the NSCIA Director of Administration, Zubairu Usman-Ugwu on Monday.

He said the search for the new moon should begin immediately after sunset on Wednesday, 29 Sha’aban, 1444 AH which is equivalent to 22 March.

Mr Usman-Ugwu explained that if the moon is sighted by Muslims on the said evening, then the Sultan of Sokoto Abubakar Saad will on announce Thursday, 23 March, as the first day of Ramadan 1444 AH.

Meanwhile, he noted that if the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Friday, 24 March automatically becomes the first day of Ramadan.

According to Quran, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month for fasting, prayer, reflection and giving to the needy.

The Council implored all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in the month of Ramadan; that He should grant them peace, stability, unity and progress in Nigeria.

While advising the politicians to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, the Council said, “Muslim politicians should show the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity both of which represent some of the core lessons of Ramadan. Let those who emerged victorious in the just concluded elections remember that it is the Almighty Allah Who grants power to whom He wishes. Also, those who lost should accept the same with faith and resist any act that may cause disaffection and disunity within the Ummah.”

It was said that, the month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed in the Quran, “a guidance for mankind and clear proof for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. present at his home), he must observe fasting that month”… (Q. Al-Baqarah 2:185)”