Sultan Urges Muslims to Search for Shawwal Crescent Ahead of Eid-el-Fitr

The Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims across Nigeria to begin the search for the Shawwal crescent, which will mark the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and signal the commencement of Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

In a statement issued from his palace in Sokoto, the Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), urged Muslims to look out for the new moon on the evening of the 29th day of Ramadan in accordance with Islamic tradition.

He explained that the sighting of the Shawwal crescent would determine the official end of Ramadan and the beginning of the new Islamic month, Shawwal, which ushers in Eid-el-Fitr, a festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide after completing the obligatory month-long fast.

The Sultan appealed to Muslims who successfully sight the crescent to promptly report such observations to the nearest district or village head, who will then communicate the information to the appropriate authorities for verification and announcement.

According to him, the practice of moon sighting remains a significant religious obligation and a long-standing tradition in Islam, guiding the determination of important dates in the Islamic calendar, including Ramadan and Eid celebrations.

He also called on the Muslim faithful to use the final days of Ramadan for prayers, charity, and acts of kindness, stressing the importance of spiritual reflection and peaceful coexistence.

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The Sultan further urged Nigerians to continue praying for peace, unity, and stability in the country, noting that the period of Ramadan offers an opportunity for national reflection and renewed commitment to harmony among citizens regardless of religious or ethnic differences.

Religious leaders across the country have also echoed the call, encouraging Muslims to remain patient while awaiting the official announcement on the sighting of the moon, which will confirm the date for Eid-el-Fitr prayers.

In Nigeria, the declaration of the end of Ramadan is traditionally made by the Sultan of Sokoto after verified reports of moon sighting are received from different parts of the country.

Eid-el-Fitr, one of the most important festivals in Islam, is usually marked with special prayers, charity to the needy, family gatherings, and celebrations among Muslim communities nationwide once the Shawwal crescent is confirmed.