The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has announced the tentative dates of March 11 and March 12, 2024, as the commencement dates for the annual Ramadan fast.
However, this is pending the sighting of the moon after sunset on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
In a statement released by the Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu, the council urged the Muslim Ummah to diligently search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 on the given date, which corresponds to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
The statement emphasized the importance of credible sightings of the crescent by Muslim faithful and urged them to promptly inform members of the National Moon Sighting Committee.
Under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the NSCIA extended felicitations to the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan Fast.
The council expressed prayers for the well-being of every Muslim to participate in the Ibadah (worship) exercise and to derive maximum benefits from it.
The statement read, “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 the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan fast.
“The Council prays that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah exercise and to maximise the benefits therein.
“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 1445 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, 10th March 2024, which is equivalent to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Monday, 11th March 2024, as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH.
“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then Tuesday, 12th March 2024, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1445 AH,” Professor Shehu stated.
Meanwhile, the supreme body for Muslims in Nigeria, while noting the current economic hardship in Nigeria, urged endowed Muslims in the country to extend acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during, and after the month of Ramadan.
According to the Council, “In the face of the current economic hardship, the Council appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during, and after the month of Ramadan.
“The Council also admonishes traders to neither hoard food products nor unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of the fast.
“We urge the Muslims to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to pray that Allah grant the Palestinians His divine support and liberate them from their oppressors.
“The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout for the Ramadan crescent on the night of Sunday 10th of March 2024, and awaits the official announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of the NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1445 AH Ramadan fast.
“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world a happy Ramadan in advance. Allahuma Baligna Ramadan.”
