NSCIA announces Muslims’ Ramadan fast starts on Sunday
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The Nigeria Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs, [NSCIA] has asked Nigerian Muslims to commence their annual Ramadan fast on Sunday.
The Secretary-General of the body, Ishaq Oloyede, a professor, said the fast would not start on Saturday following the non-sighting of the moon.
Mr. Oloyede had issued a statement Thursday advising Muslims to look out for the new crescent of Ramadan on Friday, June 27.
He said members of the National Moon Sighting Committee were deployed with appropriate gadgets to various parts of the country for easy sighting of the moon. Individuals were also encouraged to look out for the moon.
However, Mr. Oloyede said Friday night the crescent was not sighted by anyone and that the fast would now commence on Sunday, with the first Tarawih prayer said on Saturday.
The annual obligatory Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Below is the Mr. Oloyede’s Thursday statement.
Muslims in Nigeria have been advised to look for the new crescent of Ramadan on Friday, June 27.
This is contained in a statement from the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, on Wednesday in Abuja, signed by its Secretary General, Is-haq Oloyede.
Mr. Oloyede also stated that members of the National Moon Sighting Committee have been deployed with appropriate gadgets to various parts of the country for easy sighting of the moon.
“However, other individuals who are able to sight the crescent are requested to contact, through appropriate authorities, any of the following:
“1. The President-General of NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto Tel: 08036470422 2.
2. The Deputy President-General (North) of the NSCIA and the Shehu of Borno Tel: 08037855555, 08023549558 3.
3. The Secretary – General Tel: 08034540120.
4. The Emir of Gwandu and all other Emirs Tel: 08036154369.
5. The Lamido of Adamawa Tel: 07056344449.
6. The Etsu NupeTel: 08039668707.
7. The Otaru of Auchi
8. The Deputy Secretary-General (North) of NSCIA (Tijani El- Miskin) Tel: 08023577013.
9. The Deputy Secretary-General (South) of NSCIA (Adam Idoko) Tel: 08036759892.
10. The President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land: Chief Imam of Osogbo Tel: 08035740333
11. The Baba Adini of Lagos, Hafiz Abou Tel: 08033085292 and
12. The Chairman, National Moon Sighting Committee, Hafis Wali Tel: 08036009090, 08023037478.”
The statement also said where the authorities are satisfied that the crescent has been duly sighted; The President-General and Sultan of Sokoto would announce the commencement of the fast.
“However, if the crescent is not sighted on Friday, the Tarawih prayer should be observed on Saturday the 28th of June for the commencement of Ramadan on the 29th of June whether or not it is sighted on that Saturday,” it said.
The statement also urged all media houses in the country to promptly publicize any announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto.
