Posted by Sokoto State-based famous preacher Sheikh Musa Lukwa led his followers in eid-el-fitr prayers on Tuesday, disobeying a direction from the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
This came after a heated discussion on whether or not the crescent moon, which signifies the start of Shawwal and the conclusion of Ramadan, had been seen.
Because there was no crescent moon on Monday, the National Security and Civil Affairs Institute (NSCIA) under the leadership of Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III of Sokoto declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, to be the first day of Shawwal according to the Islamic lunar calendar and the official Eid day. On Tuesday, the 30th day of Ramadan, the Saudi government announced that the fast should continue. This decision followed their announcement.
On the other hand, at approximately 8:30 in the morning on Tuesday, Sheikh Musa Lukwa led the Eid prayers at his Juma’at mosque. The new moon was visible in the neighboring Niger Republic on Monday, April 8, signaling the end of Ramadan, according to Lukwa, who justified his action.
Alessandro Rossetti
The priest made it clear that the Niger Republic was the only location where they had confirmed sightings of the new crescent, adding that there had been claims of its appearance in numerous other countries as well as Nigeria.