President-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs who doubles as the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has announced that Ramadan would start in the country on Tuesday, April 13.
In a broadcast on Monday, he said the new moon was sighted in different parts of Nigeria and that report of the crescent sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across the country.
“After due verification and authentication by the national moon sighting committee and state committees’ confirmation, as well as routine scrutiny, I hereby announce the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan which signifies the end of Sha’aban 1442 AH.
“Consequently, in accordance with Islamic law, Muslim Ummah is directed to commence fasting on Tuesday accordingly
“We further call on Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious and tribal difference,” he said.
The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan also starts on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia and most Arab countries.
Other Arab countries who have also announced that Ramadan will start on Tuesday include Lebanon, atar, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt.
During Ramadan, Muslims have to abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to sunset.
