Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has officially announced the sighting of the moon, signifying the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan 1445AH.
According to a post by the National Moonsighting Committee Nigeria on Sunday, March 10, the Sultan has urged Muslims nationwide to begin fasting from Monday, March 11, 2024.
“The Crescent of Ramadan 1445/2024 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia! Subsequently, Ramadan 1445/2024 begins tomorrow, 11 March 2024. Taraweeh Prayers will begin in the Two Holy Mosques after Isha Prayers,” the Haramain Sharafain in Saudi Arabia said in a statement.
The moon, which was spotted on Sunday evening, signals the end of Sha’aban, the eighth month of the Hijri Calendar, and the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan which is equivalent to Monday, March 11.
The month of Ramadan is determined by the Lunar Islamic calendar in which months span either 29 or 30 days, and commence as well as conclude based on the sighting of the moon.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims world over fast for either 29 or 30 days based on the sighting of the moon. During this period, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
