The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar has directed Muslims to look out for the crescent of Shawwal 1444 AH from Thursday.
Abubakar made the call In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Sultan, who is also the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said: “This is to inform Muslim Ummah that Thursday, 20th April, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan 1444 AH shall be the day to look for the new moon of Shawwal 1444 AH.
“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Shawwal 1444 AH on Thursday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan”, Junaidu said.
The Sultan prayed Allah to support the Muslims in the discharge of their religious duty.
It was reported that the sighting of the new moon will signify the end of the one-month compulsory fasting by Muslims across Nigeria.
Shawwal is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.