The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on Muslims nationwide to begin searching for the 2024 (1445 A.H) Ramadan moon starting Sunday.

In a statement by Prof. Salisu Shehu, Deputy Secretary General of the NSCIA, the Council encouraged the Muslim Ummah to observe the sky for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 on the specified date, corresponding to the 29th of Sha’aban 1445 A.H.

He stated that Sultan Abubakar extends his congratulations to the entire Muslim Ummah on the upcoming 1445 A.H Ramadan fast.

Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan Fast. The Council prays that Allah spare the lives of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah 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, March 10, 2024, which is equivalent to 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, 12th March 2024, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1445 AH”, the statement partly read.

He also mentioned that given the current economic challenges, the council is urging affluent Muslims in the country to engage in acts of charity towards the less privileged in their communities before, during, and after the Ramadan period.

“The Council hereby enjoin the Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout for the Ramadan crescent on the night of Sunday 10th of March 2024 and await the official announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1445 AH Ramadan fast.

“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance,” Shehu said.

END.