Agency report
Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Monday directed Muslim faithful to look out for the new moon of Sha’aban, 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to March 22nd, 2022, which signals the beginning of Ramadan.
Abubakar made the call in a statement by the Director of Administration, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu.
He said one of the special activities during Ramadan is Tafsir, which is meant to enlighten Muslims, on the treasures of the Quranic messages, adding that the Tafsir sessions therefore should be devoted to preaching inter and intra-religious harmony, peaceful co-existence, promotion of good citizenship, neighbourliness and good governance.
The statement reads: “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 1444 A.H. Ramadan fasting exercise. Council prays that may Allah spare the life of every Muslim to witness, participate fully in and benefit maximally from the noble act of worship (ibaadah).
“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 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Wednesday, 29th Sha’aban, 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to 22nd March, 2022.
“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 any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Ramadan 1444 AH.
“Council enjoins all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in the month of Ramadan; that He should grant us peace, stability, unity and progress in Nigeria. Furthermore, the Council urges Muslim politicians to display the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity, both of which represent some of the core lessons of Ramadan. Let those who emerged victorious in the just concluded elections remember that it is the Almighty Allah Who grants power to which He wishes. Also, those who lost should accept the same with faith and resist any act that may cause disaffection and disunity within the Ummah.”
