The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has told Muslims across the country to look for the new moon of Ramadan tomorrow (Friday).
This was contained in a statement released on Thursday by the Director of Administration of the NSCIA, Ustaz Isa Christian Okonkwo.
He quoted the Sultan as felicitating with Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Ramadan fasting.
“It is appreciative to note that, since the last Ramadan fast, the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) of NSCIA, advises the President-General on the commencement of every lunar month. Based upon that, the President-General, always makes monthly declaration of the commencement of every lunar month.
“Following the advice of NMSC, the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1438 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, 26th May, 2017 equivalent to 29th Sha’ban 1438 AH,” Okonkwo said.
He said that if the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on Friday night and communicated to the appropriate quarters, the Sultan would declare Saturday, 27th May as the first day of Ramadan.
Okonkwo, however, said that if the crescent is not sighted on that day, then Sunday 28th May, 2017 automatically becomes the first day of Ramadan, 1438 AH.