The President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed Muslim Ummah to look out for the crescent (moon) of Ramadan 1442AH from Monday.
The Sultan of Sokoto gave the directive in a statement released by Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, NSCIA’s Director of Administration.
The statement reads in full:
FELICITATION AND MOONSIGHTING FOR RAMADAN 1442 AH
“The month of Ramadan (is that) in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). “So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. present at his home), he must observe fasting that month”… (Q. Al-Baqarah 2:185)
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming Ramadan, 1442 A.H. The Council prays that Allah spares our lives to this and many more Ramadans on the surface of the earth and give us the ability to carry out good deeds as much as possible because of the multiplicity of its virtues and the blessings of Allah in the Month.
In the same vein, the Council enjoins all Muslims to be prayerful unto Allah, especially in this Month, (Ramadan), to help our Nation and the world in general and our leaders in particular to be able to overcome the current C0vid-19 pandemic and the various extant and palpable security challenges.
Also, Council wishes to advise Muslims in the country that as they await the announcement for the commencement of the Ramadan fast, we should be vigilant and take extra security and health measures to protect ourselves, loved ones and neighbours.
Consequent to the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1442 AH immediately after sunset on Monday, April 12, 2021, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1442 AH.
If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Tuesday, April 13, 2021 as the first day of Ramadan 1442 AH. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1442 AH. At the same time, His Eminence also directs the Muslim Ummah to practice social distancing when looking out for the crescent. All Covid-19 protocols should be observed. I’tikaf should still be put on hold while strict observance of all Covid-19 protocols including avoiding lengthy or crowded sessions should be observed.
The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the Country to be on the lookout for the announcement of His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1442 AH Ramadan fast. The announcement will be made on Monday evening.
In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan.
1. Sheikh Dahir Bauchi
08036121311
Sayyadibashir26@yahoo.com
2. Sheikh Karibullah Kabara
08035537382
malamkabara@yahoo.com
3. Mal. Simwal Usman Jibrin
08033140010
simwaljibril@yahoo.com
4. Sheikh Salihu Yaaqub
07032558231
Salihumy11@hotmail.com.com
5. Mal. Jafar Abubakar
08020878075
Jaafaraa1434@gmail.com
6. Alh. Abdullahi Umar
08037020607
waziringwandu@yahoo.com
7. Prof. J.M. Kaura
08067050641
Jmkaura56@yahoo.com
8. Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar
08036509363
Baumar277@gmail.com
9. Muhammad Rabiu Salahudeen
08035740333
muhammadrabiusalahudeen@gmail.com
10. Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke
08035050804
jentleasad@yahoo.com
11. Dr. Ganiy I. Agbaje
08028327463
08057752980
Ganiy.agbaje@nasrda.gov.ng
gagbaje@yahoo.co.uk
12. Gafar M. Kuforiji
08033545208
kuforijiabdulwasiu@gmail.com
13. Prof. Usman El-Nafaty
08062870892
elnafaty@gmail.com
14. Mal. Ibrahim Zubairu Salihu
08038522693
zubairusalisu@yahoo.com
15. Dr. Usman Hayatu Dukku
0805 7041968
udukku@yahoo.com
16. Imam Manu
Muhammad
08036999841
limaminmisau@gmail.com
17. Qadee Ahamad Bobboy
08035914285
adamawaemiratecouncil@yahoo.com
18. Prof. Z. I. Oboh Oseni
08033574431
oseni@unilorin.edu.ng
wazzioseni@gmail.com
19. Nurudeen Asunogie D.
08033533012
hamdallah1999@yahoo.com
20. Sheikh Bala Lau
08037008805
08052426880
balalaujibwisnigeria@gmail.com
21. Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir
08065687545
ustaznasirabdulmuhyi@yahoo.com
22. Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad
08023141752
aahmadimam@yahoo.co.uk
23. Muhammad Yaseen Qamarud-Deen
08055322087
crescentgroup2000@gmail.com
24. Sheikh Lukman Abdallah
08052242252
abuyatamaa@gmail.com
25. Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi
08033139153
ssgummi@gmail.com
26. Alh. AbdulBariu Kareem
09096369117
Donbru11@yahoo.com
27. Prof. Kamil K. Oloso
08023098661
kkoloso@yahoo.com
28. Malam Usman Mahmud
08034540120
turjajawaizu@gmail.com
29. Malam Yahaya Boyi
08030413634
sultanofsokoto@yahoo.co.uk
30. Ustaz Mukail Abdurraheem
08099370109
mikailabdurraheem@gmail.com
31. Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu
08037157100
sultanofsokoto@yaho.co.uk
We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance.
Allahumma Balligna Ramadan! Amin
Signed
Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu
Director of Administration
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs
