The Sultanate Council, Sokoto, has declared Friday as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr across Nigeria.
This was announced in a press statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Sambo Wali Junaidu, on Wednesday.
The council based the announcement on the non-sighting of the Shawwal 1447AH new moon on Wednesday, the 29th day of Ramadan.
When the crescent is not sighted on the 29th day of Ramadan, the month is completed as 30 days, after which Eid-el-Fitr is observed the following day.
In Islam, the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal are determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, a practice rooted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, coordinates moon sighting efforts across Nigeria through a network of committees to ensure a unified announcement for Muslims in the country.
According to the statement, “No report was received from various Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1447AH on Wednesday, March 18, which corresponded with the 29th day of Ramadan.
