As Muslims prepare for Ramadan, the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed Muslim faithful to look out for the new moon of Sha’aban 1444 A.H, which is equivalent to March 22, 2023, which signals the beginning of Ramadan.
Abubakar announced this in a statement on Monday by the Director of Administration of the NSCIA, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu.
The Sultan said one of the special activities during Ramadan is Tafsir (the explanation and exegesis of the Holy Qur’an), which is meant to enlighten Muslims, on the treasures of the Qur’anic messages.
He explained that the Tafsir sessions should be devoted to preaching inter and intra-religious harmony, peaceful co-existence, promotion of good citizenship, good neigbourliness and good governance.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1444 A.H. Ramadan fasting exercise. Council prays that may Allah spare the life of every Muslim to witness, participate fully in and benefit maximally from the noble act of worship (ibaadah).
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Wednesday, Sha’aban 29, 1444 AH, which is equivalent to March 22, 2023.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence shall declare Thursday, March 23, 2023 as the first day of Ramadan 1444 A.H. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Friday, March 24, 2023 shall automatically become the first day of Ramadan.
“In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Ramadan 1444 AH.
“Council enjoins all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in the month of Ramadan; that He should grant us peace, stability, unity and progress in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, Council urges Muslim politicians to display the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity both of which represent some of the core lessons of Ramadan.
“Let those who emerged victorious in the just-concluded elections remember that it is the Almighty Allah Who grants power to whom He wishes. Also, those who lost should accept same with faith and resist any act that may cause disaffection and disunity within the Ummah.
“Council also appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend their acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during and after the month of Ramadan. “We also admonish traders not to hoard food products or unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of fasting.
“Council hereby enjoins Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout, on the night of Wednesday, March 22, 2023, for the announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, of the commencement of the year 1444 A.H. Ramadan fast.
“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance.”
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