President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar yesterday said this years fasting begins tomorrow since the Ramadan crescent was not sighted on Thursday, Sha’aban 29, 1430.
Consequently, the Sultan declared today the 30th of Sha’aban, and tomorrow 1st of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Speaking yesterday in Sokoto, the Sultan said after necessary consultations with emirs and various Islamic scholars across the country, it was established that the crescent was not sighted in any part of Nigeria within the time agreed and therefore declared today as Sha’aban 30, 1430 (equivalent of August 21, 2009).
Muslims had earlier been asked to look for the new moon on Thursday.
Sultan Muhammad Abubakar implored Muslims to use the fasting period to pray for peace in Nigeria and the world in general. The NSCIA had in an earlier statement said the Sultan was the only authorised person to announce the moon sighting for the commencement and termination of the Ramadan fasting.