NSCIA Asks Muslims To Look Out For New Moon To End Ramadan

The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) on Tuesday night asked Muslims to look out for new moon on Wednesday night to mark the end of the ongoing Ramadan fast.

In a statement titled 'Termination of Ramadan Fast' 1434/2013 by its Secretary General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the NSCIA reminded Muslims of the importance of sighting of the crescent moon before terminating their fast.

Prof. Oloyede said, "Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said, 'Commence fasting when you sight the (Ramadan) crescent and terminate fasting when you sight the (Shawwal) crescent.' But if the sky is cloudy, then, count 30 days of Sha’ban or of Ramadan as the case may be'".
"Therefore, in accordance with the Prophetic tradition, Muslims all over Nigeria are hereby urged to look for the new crescent of Shawwal on Wednesday, August, 7, 2013 CE (which corresponds to 29thh day of Ramadan, 1434 AH."

"To this effect, 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," he said.

Mr. Oloyede said other individuals who are able to sight the crescent are requested to contact appropriate authorities.

He added, "Where the authorities are satisfied that the crescent has been duly sighted, the President-General and Sultan of Sokoto would announce the termination of Ramadan Fast and the observance of Eid-el-Fitr Prayer the following day, that is Thursday August 8th, 2013."

"In the event of the moon not being sighted on Wednesday Aug. 7, 2013, the Eid-el-Fitr Prayer shall be observed on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013."

The NSCIA urged Muslims "to continue to pray for the peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians and keep the valued lessons and gains of the sacred month as spiritual guide against current provocative utterances from certain quarters that may lead to iniquities".