Ramadan: Sultan sends important message to Muslims over sighting of new moon

– The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has asked Nigerian Muslims to start looking for the moon of Ramadan from Thursday

– Any Muslim who sights the moon is requested to report to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan

– Meanwhile, Kano state has relaxed its COVID-19 lockdown to allow people to shop for the Ramadan fasting,

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, had instructed the Muslims in Nigeria to look for the crescent moon of Ramadan 1441AH from Thursday, April 23. Abubakar made the call in a statement signed and released by the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, on Wednesday, April 22. “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Thursday April 23, 2020, which is equivalent to 29th day of Sha’aban 1441AH shall be the day to look out for the new moon of Ramadan 1441AH. “Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan,” it said. Sultan directs Muslims to look for Ramadan moon from Thursday, April 23 The statement added that the public can directly report the sighting of the crescent moon through the following telephone numbers: 08037157100, 07067416900, 08066303077, 08036149757 and 08035965322. Also, following the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria, the Sultan had sent a message to all Muslims in Nigeria as this year Ramadan fast approaches. The Sultan declared on Monday, April 20, that there would be no Ramadan lecture sessions and congregational prayers in Mosques during the fasting period. Abubakar told Nigerian Muslims that this year’s Ramadan is one with a difference in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that everyone should pray at home.