The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has called on Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset of Wednesday, 29th of Sha’aban 1444 A.H.
The 29th of Sha’aban 1444 A.H. is equivalent to March 22, 2023.
The call reportedly followed the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee, NMSC.
In a statement signed by its Director of Administraion, Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, NSCIA, said if the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, the President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, would declare Thursday, March 23, 2023 as the first day of Ramadan 1444 A.H.
It said, if, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Friday, March 24, 2023 shall automatically become the first day of Ramadan.
NSCIA said in addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee, NMSC, could be be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Ramadan 1444 AH:
1 Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi 08036121311 Sayyadibashir26@yahoo.com
2 Sheikh Karibullah Kabara 08035537382 malamkabara@yahoo.com
3 Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory 08023126335 habibelilory@ymail.com
4 Prof. Z. I. Oboh Oseni 08033574431 oseni@unilorin.edu.ng
wazzioseni@gmail.com
5 Mal. Simwal Usman Jibrin 08033140010 simwaljibril@yahoo.com
6 Sheikh Salihu Yaaqub 07032558231 Salihumy11@hotmail.com.com
7 Mal. Jafar Abubakar 08020878075 Jaafaraa1434@gmail.com
8 Alh. Abdullahi Umar 08037020607 waziringwandu@yahoo.com
9 Prof. J. M. Kaura 08067050641 Jmkaura56@yahoo.com
10 Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar 08036509363 Baumar277@gmail.com
11 Muhammad Rabiu Salahudeen 08035740333 muhammadrabiusalahudeen@gmail.com
12 Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke 08035050804 jentleasad@yahoo.com
13 Dr. Ganiy I. Agbaje 08028327463
08057752980 Ganiy.agbaje@nasrda.gov.ng
gagbaje@yahoo.co.uk
14 Gafar M. Kuforiji 08033545208 kuforijiabdulwasiu@gmail.com
15 Prof. Usman El-Nafaty 08062870892 elnafaty@gmail.com
16 Mal. Ibrahim Zubairu Salihu 08038522693 zubairusalisu@yahoo.com
17 Imam Manu
Muhammad 08036999841 limaminmisau@gmail.com
18 Qadee Ahmad Bobboy 08035914285 adamawaemiratecouncil@yahoo.com
19 Nurudeen Asunogie 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 Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu 08037157100 sultanofsokoto@yaho.co.uk
25 Sheikh Lukman Abdallah 08052242252 abuyatamaa@gmail.com
26 Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi 08033139153 ssgummi@gmail.com
27 Arc. Zubairu Usman-Ugwu 08033467451 Zeeusman2012@gmail.com
28 Alh. AbdulBariu Kareem 09096369117 Donbru11@yahoo.com
29 Prof. Kamil K. Oloso 08023098661 kkoloso@yahoo.com
30 Malam Usman Mahmud 08034540120 turjajawaizu@gmail.com
31 Malam Yahaya Boyi 08030413634 sultanofsokoto@yahoo.co.uk
32 Ustaz Mukail Abdurraheem 08099370109 mikailabdurraheem@gmail.com
33 Ustaz Nurudeen Ibrahim 08027091623 Nurudeen.a.o.ibrahim@gmail.com
The statement by the NSCIA reads in part:
“Council enjoins all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in the month of Ramadan; that He should grant us peace, stability, unity and progress in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, Council urges Muslim politicians to display the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity both of which represent some of the core lessons of Ramadan. Let those who emerged victorious in the just concluded elections remember that it is the Almighty Allah Who grants power to whom He wishes. Also, those who lost should accept same with faith and resist any act that may cause disaffection and disunity within the Ummah.
“Council also appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend their acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during and after the month of Ramadan. We also admonish traders not to hoard food products or unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of fasting.
“Council hereby enjoins Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout, on the night of Wednesday, 22nd of March 2023, for the announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, of the commencement of the year 1444 A.H. Ramadan fast.
“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance.
“Allahuma Baligna Ramadan!”
