Saudi Arabia has declared Wednesday, April 10, as Eid el-Fitr, after the crescent moon was not spotted on Monday evening.
Saudi Arabia announced that the holy month of Ramadan would, therefore, last 30 days this year.
Haramain, the kingdom’s foremost news medium, in a statement on its X handle, said: “The crescent moon was NOT sighted in Saudi Arabia.
“Therefore, Eid el-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th April 2024.
“May Allāh allow us to utilise the remaining moments of this blessed month to engage in that which pleases Him, may He accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl & may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn,” it wrote.
However, Nigerian Muslims are expected to wait for the announcement of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sa’ad Abubakar, later in the day.
The Sultan on Sunday called on Muslims across the nation to look out for the new moon marking the beginning of Shawwal 1445 AH.
In a statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council in Sokoto, Sambo Wali, he urged individuals who spot the new moon to promptly inform the relevant authorities.
“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH on Monday and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, , the Sultan of Sokoto,” the statement reads.
