Sultan of Sokoto announces start of Ramadan (video)
- Nigerians begin Ramadan on Thursday, May 17, as Sultan of Sokoto announces its commencement
- The Sultan confirmed sighting the moon by Islamic elders
The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan will start on Thursday, May 17, following the declaration of moon-sighting by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
Legit.ng gathered that the Sultan on Wednesday, May 16, announced the citing of the new crescent in Sokoto in a broadcast, adding that Islamic elders confirmed sighting the moon.
He said the new moon was sighted in various places across the country that included Sokoto, Niger, Yobe, Port Harcourt, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and other areas.
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Ramadan being one of the basic institutions or five pillars of Islam is the Islamic holy month of fasting.
It is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, which is based on a lunar cycle. Ramadan begins and ends with the official sighting of the new moon.
Legit.ng previously reported that Saudi Arabia said the Ramadan fasting will begin on Thursday, May 17, across the globe, the official Saudi news agency SPA reported on Tuesday, May 15.
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The new moon of Ramadan was not spotted on Tuesday evening and Wednesday will mark the last day of the Islamic month of Shaaban, SPA said, citing religious authorities in the kingdom.
The beginning and end of Islamic months are determined by the sighting of the new moon. Egypt’s Mufti, the country’s top religious authority, said in a televised speech that the holy month will start on Thursday in the most populous Arab country.
How Ramadan is affecting prices of fruits in the market on Legit.ng TV.
Source: Legit.ng
