The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Sunday, May 24, 2020, as the first day of Shawwal 1441 after Hijrah, and as such, the Eid-el-Fitr.
The Sultan revealed this in a statement signed by the chairman advisory committee on religious affairs Sultanate council, Sambo Wali Jinaidu.
According to the statement, the national moon sighting committee did not receive any report from the various moon sighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1441AH on Friday May 22, 2020.
He therefore, stated that Saturday, May 23, 2020 is the 30th day of the month of Ramadan 1441AH.
Accordingly, the Sultan urged all Muslims to continue to pray for peace, progress, and development of the country while wishing them Allah’s guidance and blessings, even as he wished them a Happy Eid-El-Fitr.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto and Head of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Sa’ad Abubakar III, directed the suspension of Eid-el-Fitr congregational prayers in the outskirts of towns and cities across the country.
He gave the directive in a statement on Thursday by the JNI Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Aliyu.
The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), urged Muslims to observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayer at home with family members, or alone in the case of an individual living alone.
He also counselled the state governments that have reached concrete decisions to observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayer, based on their medical experts’ advice.
The traditional ruler urged them to ensure that the worshippers observe the strictest measures of distancing, face masks, and the use of hand sanitisers at the praying ground.
According to him, the authorities should consider using neighbourhood mosques if it becomes necessary to observe the prayer in an open space.
The Sultan also urged Ulamas to fear Allah and be mature enough in guarding their utterances and actions for the overall interest of the Deen and the Ummah.
The statement said, “Nigerian Muslims are, therefore, called upon to reflect their minds to the good virtues of the month of Ramadan and keep to its teachings all through their respective lives, as the Lord of Ramadan, is still and shall remain The Lord of other months, and above all keeps the records of our actions and inactions.
“More so, Muslims are reminded to keep to the ordinances of the Glorious Qur’an, for the prestige of the Muslim Ummah.”
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