As Nigerian muslims endure an extended lockdown and restriction of movements meant to curb the spread of the novel COVID-19 across the nation, the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, has announced that this year’s Ramadan fasting will start on Friday, April 24, 2020 if the new moon is sighted on Thursday evening.
The Sultan made the announcement in a statement signed by the Council’s Deputy Secretary-General, Salisu Shehu, on Thursday.
The statement however clarified that if the new moon is not sighted on Thursday, the fasting will commence on Saturday.
The Sultan’s statement read in part: “If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day (Thursday) then, Saturday, April 25, 2020, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1441 AH,” Abubakar said.
He however admonished Muslims to practise social distancing as they looked out for the new moon.
NAN
