Wednesday, April 10, has been designated as Eid-Fitri by the Sultan of Sokoto and Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
He claims that the announcement came after the nation’s National Moon Sighting Committees’ report, which verified that no moon sightings had occurred.
According to a statement sent to the Sultanate Council by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, the council accepted the report and subsequently proclaimed Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings,” he said.
“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.”.
Prior to this, Saudi Arabia declared that it had not seen the Shawwal crescent, meaning that Eid-el-Fitr would fall on Wednesday and the fast would continue on Tuesday.
To commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the Federal Government had earlier declared Tuesday, April 9, and Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as holidays.