By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Muslims in Nigeria have been directed to begin the yearly religious rite of Ramadan from Monday, May 6, 2019.
This directive was given in a broadcast on Sunday by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, following the sighting of the new crescent in Sokoto yesterday.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims observe one-month fast. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a compulsory religious obligation on all adult Muslims.
The northern monarch, as the president-general of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), is the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria.
The traditional ruler said with the new moon seen in various places across the country, which indicates that Sunday is the end of 8th Islamic month of Sha’aban, Muslims can commence Ramadan today.
“Upon due verification and authentication by the national moon sighting committee and states committees’ confirmation, as well as routine scrutiny, the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan signifies the end of Sha’aban 1440 AH.
“In accordance with Islamic law, the Muslim Ummah is to commence fasting on Monday, May 6, 2019 accordingly,” Mr Abubakar said in his broadcast.
The Sultan, therefore, enjoined all Muslims to devote themselves fully to the worship of Allah throughout the Holy Month, and use the period to pray for leaders at all levels, progress, peace and prosperity of the nation.
He also used the opportunity to further call on Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another, irrespective of religious or tribal differences.
Ramadan is upon us and Muslims around the world are getting ready for this. However, a problem rises up, on which exact date Ramadan is going to start? Check out the link below for the whole year schedule for the Islamic calendar 2020.
https://www.urdupoint.com/islam/islamic-calendar.html