As Muslims prepare for Ramadan, the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed Muslim faithful to look out for the new moon of Sha’aban 1444 A.H, which is equivalent to March 22, 2023, which signals the beginning of Ramadan.
Abubakar announced this in a statement yesterday by the Director of Administration of the NSCIA, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu.
The Sultan said one of the special activities during Ramadan is Tafsir (the explanation and exegesis of the Holy Qur’an), which is meant to enlighten Muslims, on the treasures of the Qur’anic messages.
He explained that the Tafsir sessions should be devoted to preaching inter and intra-religious harmony, peaceful co-existence, promotion of good citizenship, good neigbourliness and good governance.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1444 A.H. Ramadan fasting exercise. Council prays that may Allah spare the life of every Muslim to witness, participate fully in and benefit maximally from the noble act of worship (ibaadah).
“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 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Wednesday, Sha’aban 29, 1444 AH, which is equivalent to March 22, 2023.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence shall declare Thursday, March 23, 2023 as the first day of Ramadan 1444 A.H. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Friday, March 24, 2023 shall automatically become the first day of Ramadan.
