The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has asked Muslims to look out for the new moon on Wednesday night.
The NSCIA gave the charge in a statement entitled, “Termination of Ramadan Fast 1434/2013,” and signed by its Secretary General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.
The statement stressed the importance of sighting the crescent moon in the termination of the Ramadan.
It also said: “Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said: “Commence fasting when you sight the (Ramadan) crescent and terminate fasting when you sight the (Shawwal) crescent.
“But if the sky is cloudy, then, count 30 days of Sha’ban or of Ramadan as the case may be.
“Therefore, in accordance with the prophetic tradition, Muslims all over Nigeria are hereby urged to look for the new crescent of Shawwal on Wednesday, August, 7, 2013 CE (which corresponds to 29thh day of Ramadan, 1434 AH.
“To this effect, members of the national Moon Sighting Committee have been deployed with appropriate gadgets to various parts of the country for easy sighting of the moon.”
The statement further said that those who were able to sight the crescent should contact the following:
1. The President-General of NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto Tel: 08036470422
2. The Deputy President-General (North) of the NSCIA and the Shehu of Borno
3. The Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA and Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land Tel: 08027780076
4. The Secretary General, Prof. Is-haq O Oloyede on [email protected]
5. The Emir of Gwandu and all other Emirs
6. The Lamido of Adamawa
7. The Esu Nupe
8. The Otaru of Auchi
9. The Deputy Secretary-General (South) of NSCIA (Sheikh Adam Idoko) Tel: 08036759892
10. The President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land: Chief Imam of Osogbo
11. The Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh Hafiz Abou
12. The Chairman, National Moon Sighting Committee, Dr Hafis Wali on 08036009090.
The statement added: “Where the authorities are satisfied that the crescent has been duly sighted, the President-General and Sultan of Sokoto would announce the termination of Ramadan Fast and the observance of Eid-el-Fitr Prayer the following day that is Thursday August 8th, 2013.
“In the event of the moon not being sighted on Wednesday Aug, 7, 2013, the Eid-el-Fitr Prayer shall be observed on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013.”
It reminded Muslims of the necessity of paying Zakatul Fitr with the intention of uplifting the condition of indigent members of the community.
The statement also felicitated with Muslims on the completion of the Ramadan and wished them abundant blessings.
Muslims, it added, must continue to pray for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians while imbibing the lessons of the Ramadan. (NAN)
