The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA),Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the crescent of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH from Thursday.
Sultan Abubakar made the call in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Janaidu, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Sokoto, on Wednesday.
He stated that “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Thursday, June 6, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Dhul-Qidah 1445 AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH.
“Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah on Thursday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan.”
The Sultan prayed to Allah to continue to support Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties.
Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar, is one of the four sacred months in Islam during which Muslims across the world perform pilgrimage (Hajj) and celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir festival.
During the month, Muslim pilgrims from around the world congregate in Mecca to perform Hajj, which begins on the eighth, and celebrate Eid-El-Kabir from the 10th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Eid el Kabir commemorated the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. In the Islamic tradition, just as Ibrahim was about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah intervened and provided an animal to be sacrificed instead.
This event symbolised faith, devotion, and submission to the will of Allah. Muslims celebrate this festival by slaughtering an animal, typically sheep, goat, or cow, and distributing the meat among family, friends, and those in need.
