- Search for crescent of Shawwal from Thursday — Sultan to Muslims
The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 21, and Monday, April 24, 2023, as public holiday to mark this year’s EId-el-Fitr celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this on behalf of the Federal Government on Wednesday.
Aregbesola, congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
The minister urged them to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, peace, sacrifice, and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.
“The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice, and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper,” the minister said.
Aregbesola, who assured that President Muhammadu Buhari is fully committed to a peaceful transition of government following successful elections, assured the government’s commitment to the provision of security for the life and property of every citizen and foreigners in the country.
He further commended all security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against criminals across the country, urging Nigerians to be part of the nation’s security architecture by being vigilant and reporting suspicious individuals and activities to law enforcement agencies nearest to them.
The minister, who noted that security is everybody’s responsibility, enjoined Nigerians to also report suspicious activities and persons to the N-Alert application.
Aregbesola, therefore, wished all Muslims a happy EId-el-Fitr celebration and prayed that the “peace, blessings, and favour of Allah be with you all”.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed Muslims to look out for the crescent of Shawwal 1444 AH from Thursday.
Abubakar made this appeal in a statement signed by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu on Wednesday.
The statement partly reads, “This is to inform Muslim Ummah that Thursday, April 20, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan 1444 AH shall be the day to look for the new moon of Shawwal 1444 AH.
“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Shawwal 1444 AH on Thursday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan,”Junaidu said.
The sultan prayed to Allah to support the Muslims in the discharge of their religious duty.
The sighting of the new moon will signify the end of the one-month compulsory fasting by Muslims across Nigeria.
Shawwal is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.
