RAMADAN 2025: SULTAN ENJOINS MUSLIMS TO LOOK OUT FOR CRESCENT ON FRIDAY

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, has directed Muslims across Nigeria to look for the new moon of Ramadan on Friday, February 28, 2025, corresponding to 29 Sha’aban 1446AH in the Islamic calendar.

An official statement made available to 3SixtyIslam on Thursday, signed by Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, CON, FNAL, General Secretary, NSCIA, emphasized the significance of moon sighting in determining the start of Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual devotion.

The statement reads, “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 the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1446 AH Ramadan Fast. The Council prays that Allah spare the life of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.

“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1446 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, 28^th February 2025, which is equivalent to 29^th Sha’aban 1446 AH.

“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Saturday, 1^st March 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then Sunday, 2^nd March 2025, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1446 AH.

“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 1446 AH:

“In the face of the current economic hardship, the Council appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during, and after the month of Ramadan. The Council, once again, admonishes traders to neither hoard food products nor unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of the fast.

“The Council hereby enjoins Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout for the Ramadan crescent on the night of Friday, 28^th of February 2025, and await the official announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1446 AH Ramadan fast.

“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world a happy Ramadan in advance”, it added.