Ramadan: NSCIA asks Muslims to look out for the crescent on Wednesday night
March 20, 2023
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has enjoined 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.
Sultan, in a statement to the media, said: “If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence shall declare Thursday, 23rd March, 2023 as the first day of Ramadan 1444 A.H. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then Friday, 24th March, 2023 shall automatically become the first day of Ramadan”.
He urged anyone with credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Ramadan 1444 AH to contact the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC).
Sultan enjoined 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.
He urged 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 whom He wishes.
“Also, those who lost should accept same with faith and resist any act that may cause disaffection and disunity within the Ummah,” he said.
Council also appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend their acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during, and after the month of Ramadan.
“We also admonish traders not to hoard food products or unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of fasting,” he said.
The NSCIA enjoined Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout, on the night of Wednesday, 22nd of March 2023, for the announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, of the commencement of the year 1444 A.H. Ramadan fast.
NSCIA said in addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee, NMSC, could be be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Ramadan 1444 AH:
Muhammad 08036999841 limaminmisau@gmail.com
18 Qadee Ahmad Bobboy 08035914285 adamawaemiratecouncil@yahoo.com
19 Nurudeen Asunogie 08033533012 hamdallah1999@yahoo.com
20 Sheikh Bala Lau 08037008805
08052426880 balalaujibwisnigeria@gmail.com
21 Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir 08065687545 ustaznasirabdulmuhyi@yahoo.com
22 Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad 08023141752 aahmadimam@yahoo.co.uk
23 Muhammad Yaseen Qamarud-Deen 08055322087 crescentgroup2000@gmail.com
24 Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu 08037157100 sultanofsokoto@yaho.co.uk
25 Sheikh Lukman Abdallah 08052242252 abuyatamaa@gmail.com
26 Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi 08033139153 ssgummi@gmail.com
27 Arc. Zubairu Usman-Ugwu 08033467451 Zeeusman2012@gmail.com
28 Alh. AbdulBariu Kareem 09096369117 Donbru11@yahoo.com
29 Prof. Kamil K. Oloso 08023098661 kkoloso@yahoo.com
30 Malam Usman Mahmud 08034540120 turjajawaizu@gmail.com
31 Malam Yahaya Boyi 08030413634 sultanofsokoto@yahoo.co.uk
32 Ustaz Mukail Abdurraheem 08099370109 mikailabdurraheem@gmail.com
33 Ustaz Nurudeen Ibrahim 08027091623 Nurudeen.a.o.ibrahim@gmail.com
The statement by the NSCIA reads in part:
“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, 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 whom He wishes. Also, those who lost should accept same with faith and resist any act that may cause disaffection and disunity within the Ummah.
“Council also appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend their acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during and after the month of Ramadan. We also admonish traders not to hoard food products or unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of fasting.
“Council hereby enjoins Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout, on the night of Wednesday, 22nd of March 2023, for the announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, of the commencement of the year 1444 A.H. Ramadan fast.
“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance.
“Allahuma Baligna Ramadan!”