* As Tinubu urges wealthy citizens to help the less privileged
The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has confirmed the sighting of the moon marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 1445AH.
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Turkiye Diyanet Vakfi Foundation observing the position of the crescent, which signals the beginning of Ramadan – the ninth month of the Islamic calendar – in Abuja, on March 10, 2024.
The Sultan, in a post shared by the National Moonsighting Committee Nigeria on its X handle on Sunday, called on Muslims across the country to commence fasting on Monday, March 11, 2024.
“Today, Monday 29th day Sha’aban 1445AH which is equivalent to 10th March 2024, marks the end of Sha’aban 1445 AH. The reports of positive moon were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across the country which we fully accepted.
“Consequently, Monday the 11th day of March 2024 will count as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH. We therefore, call on Muslims across the country to commence fast accordingly. We call on all Muslims to use the glorious month of Ramadan for extra prayers for our leaders and country, Nigeria.
“We appeal to the well meaning individuals amongst us to assist the vulnerable and poor with food and other items during this glorious month to cushion the effect of hardship being experienced in the country. May Allah SWT reward our Ibadat with Al-Jannah firdaus. Ramadan Kareem to all Muslims in Nigeria and the world over,” he said.
Earlier, the crescent, which signals the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
“The Crescent of Ramadan 1445/2024 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia! Subsequently, Ramadan 1445/2024 begins tomorrow, 11 March 2024. Taraweeh Prayers will begin in the Two Holy Mosques after Isha Prayers,” the Haramain Sharafain in Saudi Arabia said in a statement.
The moon, which was spotted on Sunday evening, signals the end of Sha’aban, the eight month of the Hijri Calendar, and the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan which is equivalent to Monday, March 11.
The month of Ramadan is determined by the Lunar Islamic calendar in which months span either 29 or 30 days, and commence as well as conclude based on the sighting of the moon.
Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar in which Muslims world over fast for either 29 or 30 days based on the sighting of the moon. During this period, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has urged wealthy individuals to assist the indigents in the society to alleviate their suffering particularly during the Ramadan fasting period.
Tinubu made the appeal on Sunday in Kano while inaugurating the distribution of 140 truck-loads of rice donated by Senator Abdullahi Yari in honor of the president.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Tinubu commended the gesture.
He said that it is aimed at supporting individuals who are in need at this critical time.
“All over the world, leadership belongs to more than one person. There is need to always help the vulnerable in the society.
“Let us come together, unite as a country and forge ahead for a better Nigeria,” he said.
Tinubu commended Yari for donating the 140 trucks of rice labeled with his name and picture for distribution to the less-privileged.
He also said that the commodity would go a long way in easing the hardship faced by many at this time.
The president, however, called on Nigerians to pray for the unity, peace and progress of the country during the holy month of Ramadan.
Dr Abubakar Danburam, who represented Yari, said the 140 trucks contained 50kg of 84, 000 bags of rice.
Danburam revealed that it would be distributed to at least 500,000 households in the North.
He said that the gesture was to complement Tinubu’s efforts of supporting the needy and other vulnerables in the society.
Yari enjoined Nigerians to pray for relief from the economic challenges bedeviling the nation.
