The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has released moon conditions in major cities in Nigeria for Thursday July 16, to signal the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations and end of Ramadan.
In a statement in Abuja, NARSDA detailed how the new moon would be seen across the country.
According to the agency, the analysis of the moon conditions from the space agency should prepare Muslim faithful across the country to watch out and also await pronouncement from the Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in line with the Islamic tradition for the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations.
“In Abuja, appearance of first crescent will be from 6:06 p.m. to 6:36 p.m., Sunrise – 6:19 a.m., sunset – 6:25 p.m.,” Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, Dr. Felix Ale, noted.
Although, it is the Sultan of Sokoto, who is head of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (Society for the Support of Islam – JNI), and president-general of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) who declares the end of Ramadan after sighting the moon, the federal government has already declared Friday and Monday public holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, apparently based on forecasts from NASRDA.
