The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has advised Muslims to look out for the new moon on Sunday night for the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast.

According to a statement by the Secretary General of NSCIA, Is-haq Oloyede, if the moon is sighted on Sunday night, the President General of NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar would declare Monday, 6th June, 2016, as the first day of Ramadan.

He noted that if the crescent is not sighted on Sunday night, Tuesday, 7th June would automatically become the first day of Ramadan, 1437 AH.

According to the statement, “The NMSC had advised the President General that the crescent of Ramadan should be searched for on Sunday, 5th June, 2016 equivalent to 29th Sha’ban 1437 AH.

“If the crescent is actually sighted by informed persons on Sunday night and His Eminence is so advised by the experts, he would declare Monday, 6th June, 2016 as the first day of Ramadan but if the crescent is not sighted on the night of Sunday, Tuesday, 7th June, 2016 automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1437 AH.

The council congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and all over the world on the auspicious occasion of Ramadan and prayed that Allah would make the month a positive new beginning for individuals and national lives in terms of spiritual excellence and national development.

It appreciated the educative release from National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) on crescent sighting, which was meant to provide just the scientific explanation concerning sighting of the crescent.

The statement urged the NASRDA to make it a monthly affair for public awareness and education saying that one of the beauties of the Islamic calendar is its being natural, based on a monthly phenomenon as created by the Almighty Creator of both humanity and nature.

“It is also instructive that the findings of NASRDA agree with those of the Islamic Scholars on when and where the conjunction of the new crescent would take place but the only difference is that mere conjunction without its physical appearance (after sunset) is not enough for the commencement of the Ramadan except on the 30th of the receding month when its existence is certain.

It maintained that since the last Ramadan fast, the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) of the NSCIA, under the leadership of Mallam Hafiz Wali and Prof. Usman El-Nafaty, assisted by Bro. Muhammad Yaseen Qamarud-Deen had advised the President General of the NSCIA on the commencement of every lunar month.

“Muslims all over the Country are hereby enjoined to be on the lookout for the directive of His Eminence, the President General of the NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1437 AH Ramadan fast.

In addition to established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the statement quoted some members of the National Moon Sighting Committee who can be contacted for information and clarification as Mallam Hafiz Wali 08036009090hafizswali@yahoo.com, Mal. Simwal Usman Jibrin 08033140010simwaljibril@yahoo.com and among others.

“As soon as the NMSC, based on the verified information, confirms the sighting of the crescent, the committee will advise the President General of the NSCIA, who will announce the commencement of the month of Ramadan.”

The NSCIA enjoined Muslim faithful to use the opportunity of Ramadan to pray for political, religious and social leaders so that the nation can be properly guided to greater development.

•Excerpted from a LEADERSHIP Sunday report. Photo shows Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar.

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