Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, has declared Wednesday the first of Shawwal 1445AH.
In a statement on Monday, Sultan, who is the president general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Wednesday will be observed as Eid-el-Fitr day.
He said the report of national moon sighting committees across the country confirmed that there was no sighting of the new moon on Monday.
The statement was signed by Sambo Junaidu, the chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs.
Muslims in Nigeria will complete their 30-day fasting on Tuesday.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings,” the statement reads.
“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress, and the development of the country, also wishes all Muslims a happy Eid-El-Fitri.”
Earlier on Monday, authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said on Monday that no crescent moon marking the beginning of Shawwal and the end of Ramadan has been sighted.
With this development, the Ramadan fast will last for 30 days, while Eid-el-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday in the Kingdom.
“The crescent moon was NOT sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid el Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th April 2024,” Haramain, a Saudi-based online resource outfit, wrote on X.
“May Allāh allow us to utilise the remaining moments of this blessed month to engage in that which pleases Him, may He accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl & may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn.”
On April 7, Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, asked Muslims in Nigeria to look out for the new moon of Shawwal 1445 AH on Monday.Since March 11, Muslims across the world have abstained from eating, drinking, and any form of sexual relationship from dawn till dusk to observe Ramadan fasting, which is either 29 or 30 days.
This development comes a day after the federal government announced Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays.