The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has enjoined the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1446 A.H immediately after sunset on Saturday, 29th Ramadan 1446 A.H, which is equivalent to March 29, 2025.
The Sultan, in his goodwill message to Muslims on the occasion of the forthcoming Eid-el-fitr, said that according to scientific calculations, the expected time for the conjunction of Shawwal moon in Nigeria is Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:58 a.m.
He stated that notwithstanding, as Islamic tradition stipulates, Muslims should search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th of Ramadan.
“If Muslims sight the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Sunday, 30th March 2025 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr. However, if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Monday, 31st March, 2025, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr,” he stated.
He, therefore, enjoined Muslims to contact the traditional and Islamic leaders in each locality, who are members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Shawwal 1446 AH.
While reminding the Muslims that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims to be given to the less privileged in the society, the Sultan appealed to all concerned Muslims to ensure that they comply and do so in good time.
“The stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan, but before the ‘Id prayer,” he explained.
He encouraged all Muslims to pray fervently to the Almighty Allah, especially during the concluding part of Ramadan, for peace, security and development in Nigeria.
The Council urged Muslims all over the country to look out for the announcement to be made by the Sultan on the night of Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Meanwhile, the NSCIA, in a separate statement, has commended the Federal Government for establishing a disaster relief fund, which has received a nod from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“Though long overdue, the Council welcomes the development which aims to ensure rapid and efficient response to the needs of disaster victims nationwide. We actually consider it a right step in the right direction,” the Sultan said.
He further noted that in addition to disaster/emergency management, a department/unit of government should be saddled with the responsibility of undertaking disaster prevention.
“The department/unit should have the necessary mechanisms and frameworks to reduce to the barest minimum, if not fully prevent, the occurrence of disasters. Since a stitch in time saves nine, this initiative will go a long way in entrenching proactive and preemptive measures against disasters, not just reactive ones that are in place,” he stated.
He further called on well-meaning Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike to kindly support the cause by contributing to the relief fund, while also urging those who are in positions to make major interventions in that regard.
