The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced that Ramadan fasting may continue on Sunday because the sighting of the crescent which indicates the end of the month of Ramadan has not been seen in Nigeria.
NSCIA made this announcement in a statement signed by the Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Saturday.
He also urged Muslim faithfuls to search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th of Ramadan, stressing, “If Muslims sight the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Sunday, March 30, 2025, as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of Idul Fitr.”
The statement read, “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and the entire Muslim world on the auspicious occasion of the 1446 A.H. Idul Fitr.
“We beseech Allah to grant everyone the opportunity to witness many more of it in good health and divine guidance. In the spirit of Ramadan, Muslims are reminded that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims to be given to the less privileged in society.
“The Council, therefore, appeals to all concerned Muslims to ensure that they comply and do so in good time. The stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan, but before the Eid prayer.
“Moreover, 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 Shawwal 1446 A.H. immediately after sunset on Saturday, 29th Ramadan 1446 A.H., which is equivalent to 29th March 2025.”
The Sultan further stated that if the moon is not seen, Monday, March 31st, 2025, becomes Eid al-Fitr.
He also advised all Muslims to pray diligently to Allah at the end of Ramadan for peace, security, and progress in Nigeria.
Remember that Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that the crescent of Shawwal had been sighted.
It also stated that Eid al-Fitr, which marks the start of the new Islamic month, will henceforth be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
This announcement was published on Haramin’s official Facebook page, which serves as an official platform for the Muslim community globally.
“The crescent moon for the month of Shawwal 1446 was sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.”
