Eid-el-Fitr 2024: Sultan-Led NSCIA Announces Tentative Dates, Asks Muslims to Look Out for New Moon

• The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, has urged the Muslim Ummah to observe the crescent of Shawwal 1445AH starting Monday, April 8, which marks the potential end of Ramadan
• The monarch directed Muslims to watch for the new moon as Ramadan reaches its 29th day, with Tuesday set as the potential day of ‘Id-el-Fitr if the moon is sighted
• However, Wednesday automatically becomes the day of Eid-el-Fitry if the moon is not sighted on Monday

Sokoto – The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Abubakar, has asked Muslim Ummah to observe the crescent of Shawwal 1445AH starting Monday, April 8.

The Sultan made the announcement in a statement on Sunday by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

Oloyede said if the moon is sighted on Monday, then the Sultan will declare Tuesday as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr:

However, he said if the crescent is not sighted that day, Wednesday, 10th April 2024, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.

This was contained in a tweet shared by NTA on Sunday, April 7. The tweet reads in part:

“The sultan of Sokoto and President General Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has asked Muslims to look for the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH on Monday 8th of April, 2024.

“A statement signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, chairman of Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs Sultanate Council Sokoto, says Monday is the 29th of Ramadan at 1445 AH and the day to look for the new moon of Shawwal.”

In the tweet, there are phone numbers to reach the Islamic authority should any Nigerian sight the moon first.