The Sultan of Sokoto and the President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Wednesday, April 10th, as the day for Eid-El -Fitri.
Eid-El-Fitr marks the ending of the Holiest month in Islam, Ramadan which is a period of rigorous fasting and spiritual growth for muslims around the world. It is the most important festival for muslims which they celebrate with family and friends around the world.
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar says the declaration, followed the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country which confirmed that the moon had not been sighted.
A statement signed by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Junaidu, said the council accepted the report and accordingly declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings.
“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress, and development of the country, also wishes all Muslims a happy Eid-El-Fitri”.
Saudi Arabia had earlier declared that the crescent of Shawwal has not been sighted, indicating that the fasting will continue on Tuesday and Eid-el-Fitr will be on Wednesday.
The Federal Government had earlier declared Tuesday, April 9th and Wednesday, 10th April, 2024 as holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Meanwhile,the Federal Government has extended the public holiday for the Eid-El-Fitr celebration to Thursday.
Last week, it declared a two-day holiday – Tuesday and Wednesday – for the festivities.
However, the crescent was not sighted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, meaning the Eid celebration will take place on Wednesday. This prompted the Federal Government to add an extra day to the already-declared public holiday.
“The Federal Government has approved Thursday 11th April 2024 as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr,” the Ministry of Interior Permanent Secretary Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said in an early Tuesday statement.
