The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has announced the tentative dates of March 11 and March 12, 2024, as the commencement dates for the annual Ramadan fast, pending the sighting of the moon after sunset on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu, in a statement said the council urged the Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 on the given date, equivalent to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
The statement urged Muslim faithful who had credible sightings of the crescent to inform members of the National Moon Sighting Committee.
According to the statement, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan Fast.
The statement added that the council prayed that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the Ibadah (worship) exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, 10th March 2024, which is equivalent to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Monday, 11th March 2024, as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH.
“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then Tuesday, March 12, 2024, automatically becomes the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH,” the statement partly read.
The statement further appealed to the “endowed Muslims” to extend acts of charity to the less privileged, while also admonishing traders not to hoard food products or unduly hike the prices of goods during the period of the fast.
It admonishesd traders to neither hoard food products nor unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of the fast.
“We urge the Muslims to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to pray that Allah grants the Palestinians His divine support and liberates them from their oppressors,” he further stated.
