The Nigerian government has extended the Eid-il-Fitr to Thursday, the Ministry of the Interior said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Aishetu Ndayako, said that the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who gave the additional approval on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Muslims for the successful completion of the Holy month of Ramadan fast.
Describing Ramadan as “the month of spiritual rejuvenation”, the minister reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.
Eid el Fitr, which means the holiday of breaking the fast is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.
The Federal Government initially declared Tuesday, 9th, and Wednesday, 10th April 2024 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the initial declaration on behalf of the federal government in Abuja in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Aishetu Gogo-Ndayako on Sunday, April 7.
However, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria’s President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sa’ad Abubakar, announced on Monday that the crescent moon of Shawwal was not sighted.
This means the holy month of Ramadan will continue on Tuesday, with Eid al-Fitr celebrations commencing on Wednesday, April 10th.
For Saudi Arabia, the disclosure was made on Haramin’s official Facebook page, stating, “The crescent moon was not sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th April 2024.
“May Allāh allow us to utilise the remaining moments of this blessed month to engage in that which pleases Him, may He accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl & may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn.”
Nigerian Muslims have also received an official declaration from Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
Abubakar’s declaration followed the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country which confirmed that the moon has not been sighted.
The Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, to the Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Junaidu, in a statement on Tuesday said the council accepted the report and accordingly declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH.
