- Urges Muslims to pray for unity and security of Nigeria
Published By Olukayode Idowu
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has directed Muslims, to search for the new moon on Saturday, drawing the curtain on this year’s Holy month of Ramadan.
“The NSCIA President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, directed the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), and the Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1443 AH immediately after sunset on Saturday, April 30th, 2022, which is equivalent to 29th Ramadan, 1443 AH,” a statement signed by the NSCIA’s Director of Administration, Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, stated.
According to the statement, “if the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character, then His Eminence would declare Sunday, May 1st 2022, as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr. However, if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Monday, May 2nd 2022, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.”
In line with established protocols, traditional Islamic leaders in each locality could contact members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) to report credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Shawwal 1443 AH.
The Sultan reminded all Muslims in the spirit of Ramadan that Zakatul Fitr is compulsory food-levy for all privileged Muslims, to be given to the less privileged in the society. The Council, therefore, appeals to all concerned to ensure that they do not only comply but comply on time. The general practice is to give out the standard measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan and not later than before the ‘Id prayer.
The Sultan expressed grievous concern about the skyrocketing prices of food and consumables in the country and appealed to the government to stem the tide of inflation while urging traders too to desist from the habit of arbitrarily increasing the price of food items;
He appealed to politicians to consider politics as a service to the nation, which should not be pursued as a do-or-die affair. Nigerians should freely choose their leaders on the basis of those who will lead them with justice, fairness and character in line of our usual prayer, “O Allah, make the best of us our leaders, and don’t make the worst of us our leaders. Don’t make us, on account of our sins, be under those who will neither fear you nor be compassionate to us”;
He urged Muslims to exercise their rights to contest for elective positions and also participate actively in the electoral process by not only obtaining their Permanent Voters Cards, which is still ongoing, but also casting their votes on the days of elections. The Council insists that it is a religious duty for every Muslim to obtain his/her voter’s card;
The Sultan welcome the policy of the Nigeria Police Force to allow female personnel to use head covering just as it is done in other civilised countries of the world, including the United States, Britain and Canada. Other military, paramilitary and security agencies are also urged to toe the line because that is the right way to go to promote inclusivity and civility in service;
He expressed serious concern about the persecution of Muslims particularly in Bauchi and many Southern states, including Rivers State University, where up till now, Muslim students are denied of a befitting place of worship on campus. The donation collected for the mosque project is still being warehoused by the Council for over a decade;
The Sultan condemned the killing of a Muslim in Ijagbo and the vicious attacks perpetrated on peaceful demonstrators on 3rd February, 2022 while exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceful protest over the decision of Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo, to deny some Muslim students entry to the school premises on account of their use of hijab. Muslims call for the prosecution of Christian leaders who were involved in the murder and violence;
He urged Muslims to continue to exercise patience and restraint in the interest of peace and national development, in spite of the ceaseless provocations received from those who ought to be their partners in faith. Muslims should always remember that, “Allah is with the patient ones” (Q Al-Anfal, 8: 46) and that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that, “patience is light”;
The frontline monarch appealed to ASUU and the Federal Government to find an amicable solution to the ongoing impasse/ strike and not allow some unscrupulous individuals to mobilise students in the name of protests to destabilise the country.