Sultanate Urges Muslims To Begin Search For New Moon

By Chris Nomjov

The Muslim Sultanate Council, on Wednesday in Sokoto, urged the Muslim community to begin looking out for the new moon of Jumada Ula 1436 AH.

This is contained in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate council and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.

It said, “Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, which is equivalent to 29th day of Rabi’u Sani 1436AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Jumada Ula.’’

“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Jumada Ula on Thursday and report to the nearest district head or forward such information to the Sultan, Sa’ad Abubakar’’, it added.

The Islamic calendar is not based on dates, but on sighting of the moon. The sighting of the moon of Jumada Ula and it’s confirmation by the Sultanate Council; often signals the.beginning of the month of Jumada Awwal, the fifth month of the Muslim calender.

A Muslim faithful, who sights the moon, is expected to notify a member of the Sultanate Council, whence upon a few questions for confirmation; the Sultanate decides on a date, as the beginning of the new month.