Sultan Directs Muslims To Look For Crescent Of Dhul-Hijjah From Today

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III

Muslims across the country have been directed to look out for the crescent of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH as from today.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, gave the direction in a statement by NSCIA’s Deputy Secretary General, Prof. Salisu Shehu, yesterday in Abuja.

The statement said the Muslim Ummah should, this evening, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Dhul-Qidah 1445 AH, 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,” it said.

The Sultan prayed to Allah to continue to support Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties.

The Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar, is one of the four sacred months 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 Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, which begins on the eighth day of the month, and celebrate Eid-el-Kabir from the 10th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.