The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has announced the tentative dates of March 11 and March 12, 2024, as the commencement dates for the annual Ramadan fast, pending the sighting of the moon after sunset on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu, in a statement said the council urged the Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 on the given date, equivalent to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.The statement urged Muslim faithful who had credible sightings of the crescent to inform members of the National Moon Sighting Committee.
According to the statement, 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, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan Fast.
The statement added that the council prayed that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the Ibadah (worship) exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.
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 1445 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, 10th March 2024, which is equivalent to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
It admonishesd traders to neither hoard food products nor unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of the fast.“We urge the Muslims to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to pray that Allah grants the Palestinians His divine support and liberates them from their oppressors,” he further stated.