The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has fixed a date for the 2021 Idul-Fitri celebration across the country.
While felicitating with the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and all over the world on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan Fast, the NSCIA wished them all Allah’s immeasurable rewards for fasting and His abundant blessings.
The Council, in a statement signed by its Deputy Secretary General, Prof. Salisu Shehu, also prayed that the Almighty Allah spare lives of all the Muslims to witness many happy returns of Ramadan on earth.
“In preparation for the 1442 AH Idul-Fitri celebrations, the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) of the NSCIA has advised the President-General that the crescent of Shawwal should be searched for on Tuesday, 11th May, 2021 equivalent to 29th Ramadan, 1442 AH,” the statement reads.
It adds, “If the crescent is actually sighted by informed persons on Tuesday night and His Eminence is so advised by the experts, he would address the press to declare Wednesday, 12th May, 2021 as the first day of Shawwal (‘Id day). If, however, the crescent is not sighted on Tuesday night, Thursday, 13th May, 2021 automatically becomes the first of Shawwal, 1442 AH (‘Id day). A press statement to that effect would be issued on Tuesday night.”
NSCIA also reminded the Ummah of the necessity of paying Zakatul-Fitri with the intention of lifting the hearts of the indigent members of the community.
It urged all to ensure its delivery to the appropriate recipients and guard against its diversion by any agent or intermediary.
The Council hereby enjoined Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout for the directive of His Eminence, the President-General of the NSCIA, on the completion of this year’s Ramadan fast.
“Though Ramadan may have come to an end, the lessons in it must continue to reflect in the lives of Muslims. The Council encourages them to continue praying for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, as they keep the virtues and gains of the sacred month as a spiritual guide towards our accelerated development as individuals and a nation,” it continues.
“In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan,” it concludes.
Members of the moon sighting committee
