With the month of Ramadan entering its final stretch, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has urged Muslims in the country to look out for the crescent of Shawwal 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Thursday, 29th Ramadan 1444 A.H., which corresponds with April 20, 2023.

This is to determine the exact date when this year’s Ramadan will come to an end.

Eid-el-Fitr is celebrated upon completion of fasting in the month of Ramadan.

The President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, is expected to declare Friday, 21, 2023 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of Eid-el-Fitr as soon as the new crescent is sighted.

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In a statement by its director of administration, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, NSCIA noted however, if the crescent is not sighted on that day, then Saturday, April 22, 2023, will be declared end of Ramadan and the day of Eid-ul-Fitri.

The statement also reminded Muslims of the importance of the compulsory food-levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the less privileged in the society before the fasting period comes to an end.

The statement by the council reads in full.

1444 A.H. ‘IDUL FITR GOODWILL MESSAGE AND FELICITATIONS

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, CFR, mni, felicitates the Nigerian Muslim ‘Ummah and indeed the entire Muslim world on the auspicious occasion of the 1444 A.H. ‘Idul Fitr. We beseech Allah to grant everyone the opportunity to witness many more of it.

In the spirit of Ramadan, Muslims are reminded that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food-levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the less privileged in the society. The Council, therefore, appeals to all concerned to ensure that they do not only comply but also comply on time. The stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan and not later than before the ‘Id prayer.

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 Shawwal 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Thursday, 29th Ramadan 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to 20th April 2023.

In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Shawwal 1444 AH