The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad, has announced the sighting of the new crescent of “Shawwal”, signifying the end of Ramadan fasting for Nigerian Muslims.
Mr. Abubakar, who made the announcement in his palace in Sokoto on Saturday, said Muslim faithful in Nigeria are to observe the Eid El Fitr Sallah celebrations Sunday.
The Sultan of Sokoto said the new moon was sighted in Adamawa, Katsina and parts of Sokoto state.
The new moon marks the end of the 29-day long Ramadan and the start of the Islamic month of Shawwal.
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a message from London, where he is undergoing medical treatment, felicitating with Muslims on the Sallah celebrations.
The federal government already declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays for the celebration.
The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) had on Friday asked Muslims to look out for new moon on Saturday night to mark the end of the Ramadan fast.
The NSCIA also released the names and telephone numbers of members of its moon sighting committee across Nigeria.
Members of that committee were to be contacted if the new moon of “Shawwal” is sighted, according to Islamic tradition.
