By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Despite the directive by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar that fasting would continue today, Tuesday, 9 April, 2024, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a Sokoto-based cleric, on Tuesday, 9 April, 2024, led his followers to observe Eid prayers.
Recall that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, had on Monday night, 8 April, 2024, declared that fasting would continue on Tuesday as the crescent moon could not be sighted.
The Sultan declared Wednesday, 10 April, 2024, as the first of Shawwal and Eid day, which would commemorate the completion of the 2024 Ramadan fast.
The Saudi Arabian authorities had also announced Wednesday, 10 April, 2024, for the celebration of the 2024 Eid-el-fitr.
But Sheikh Lukwa, who has over the years disobeyed the Sultan’s directive on moon sighting, led prayers at his Juma’at mosque on Tuesday morning, 9 April, 2024.
The cleric claimed that the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday night.
“There were reports of sightings of the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic.
“We have a verified video clip of their Council of Ulamah authenticating the report after which the country declared Tuesday as Sallah day. So it is now binding on us to observe Eid on Tuesday because this is what the teachings of the Holy Prophet says.
“If we can accept that of Saudi Arabia, why can’t we agree with that of Niger Republic which is nearer to us?
“I am not saying all Nigerian Muslims must observe their Eid prayers on Tuesday but we have no moral justification not to observe our prayer on Tuesday because the new moon was sighted by our neighbors. And remember there is no fasting on Sallah day, it is prohibited,” he said.
Recalls that the cleric had in 2022 disobeyed the directive of the Sultan on the moon sighting and led Muslims in Sokoto State for Eid prayers on a contrary date.
