By Ahmed Ajikobi
Following the sighting of moon in parts of the country, Muslims in Nigeria will join their counterparts in other parts of the world to begin Ramadan fast today (Monday).
The crescent moon of Ramadan was reportedly sighted in Sokoto, Kebbi and Yobe states, Sunday evening.
Towards this end, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Monday as the first day of Ramadan fasting in Nigeria.
Simwal, a member of the Moon sighting Committee of Nigeria disclosed this quoting the Sultan.
According to him, Sultan declared Monday beginning of Ramadan after the crescent moon for the month of Ramadan was sighted.
He disclosed this in a post on his Twitter page.
Simwal wrote: “His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto has authorized me to inform the general public that Ramadan crescent was sighted in different locations in Nigeria this evening , compilation of more results is going on.Taraweeh prayers can commence.”
Muslim faithful observe the 29 or 30 days fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan.
Similarly, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has directed his subjects to begin the Ramadan fast today.
In a statement issued from the palace, the Emir said that the moon has been sighted in many notable towns in the north.
Similarly, the Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has confirmed the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan in some states in Nigeria.
Oloyede in a telephone interview confirmed the sighting of the moon in Sokoto, Kebbi and Yobe states while wishing the Muslims happy Ramadan fast.
The NSCIA scribe said the formal announcement of the commencement of 2019 Ramadan fast will be made later tonight by the NSCIA President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The council in a statement by the Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu, on Saturday had urged the Muslims across the country to look out for this year’s Ramadan moon after sunset on Sunday.
…Buhari prays for peace
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Nigeria, as Muslims begin today, the month-long Ramadan.
In his message, Sunday night following news of the sighting of the lunar month of Ramadan, the President noted that Islam is a religion of peace that upholds the values of tolerance and mutual coexistence without a place for hatred and violence.
He urged Muslims to use the fasting period to build a relationship of friendship and harmony with fellow citizens of other faiths.
President Buhari prayed to Allah for the continued peace, progress, and the wellbeing of the country.
Similarly, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on Muslim faithful to pray for a positive turn around in the fortunes of Nigeria as they join their counterparts across the world to observe this year’s Ramadan fasting.
Saraki, in a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, noted that since fasting symbolizes internal cleansing and spiritual renewal, the country can benefit tremendously from the prayers of the faithful during the period.
He said: “It is my prayer that Allah accepts the earnest prayers and sacrifices of the Muslim Ummah during this Holy Month. May we emerge better, both at the individual and national levels, after this spiritual exercise.
Let’s us seek an end to recurring killings, kidnapping and all forms of insecurity in our country. As community leaders and members of the Islamic faith, we have a responsibility to work for peace in our communities in particular, and the country in general.
“We cannot afford to gloss over the present level of insecurity and harsh economic realities in our country. Therefore, let us pray earnestly for Allah’s intervention in the socio-economic life of our people,” he stated.
Saraki also called on all leaders both at the national and state levels to put in place policies and programmes that would directly benefit the people and gainfully engage the nation’s growing youth population.
He added that the high youth population in the country is a blessing as the young people can hasten the development process if positively engaged but that the advantage can also become a time bomb if they are not well managed and deployed for good causes.
