The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has released the statement below, detailing modalities for the sighting of the new moon to signal the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast.

The statement also detailed the contact telephone and email addresses of 30 personalities across the country that should be contacted by anyone who sights the new crescent.

“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General (Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad) enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1440 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, May 5, 2019 equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1440 AH.

“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, His Eminence would declare Monday, May 6, 2019, as the first day of Ramadan. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Tuesday, May 7, 2019, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1440 AH.

“The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the Country to be on the lookout for the announcement of His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1440 AH Ramadan fast.”

See full statement and contact details of the personalities below

FELICITATION AND MOONSIGHTING FOR RAMADAN 1440 A.H.

The month of Ramadan (is that) in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. present at his home), he must observe fasting that month… (Q. Al-Baqarah 2:185)

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming Ramadan, 1440 A.H. The Council prays that Allah spare our lives to this and many more Ramadan on the surface of the earth and give us the ability to carry out good deeds as much as possible in the Month because of the multiple abilities of its virtues and the blessings of Allah.

In the same vein the Council hereby beseeches all Muslims to be prayerful unto Allah, especially in the Month (Ramadan), to help our Nation in general and our leaders in particular to be able to overcome, once and for all, the seemingly intractable security challenges as epitomized in the Boko Haram insurgency and the upsurge of armed banditry, kidnapping and related crimes.

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 1440 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, May 5, 2019 equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1440 AH. If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, His Eminence would declare Monday, May 6, 2019, as the first day of Ramadan. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Tuesday, May 7, 2019, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1440 AH.

The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the Country to be on the lookout for the announcement of His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1440 AH Ramadan fast.

In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, members of the (NMSC) who can be contacted for information and clarification are as follows:

We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance.

Allahuma Baligna Ramadan! Amin

Signed

Prof. Salisu Shehu

Deputy Secretary-General

Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs