The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared today (Monday) the 11th of March, 2024, as the first day of the month of Ramadan.
The Sultan, who is the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria, said the declaration was based on the sighting of the moon in almost every part of the country earlier on Sunday, “which is the 29th day of the Month of Shaban and thereby signifies tomorrow, 11th of March, as the first day of Ramadan 1445.”
“We got the information from Muslim leaders across the country and we accept the sighting of the moon accordingly,” the Sultan said.
He called on the entire Muslim community in the country to start fast today in accordance with the teachings of Islam
He urged Muslims to use this month of Ramadan to pray against the spread of insecurity in the country.
He called on all Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray for the leaders in discharging their duties with fear of God.
He further advised all Muslims in the country and beyond to observe the fast with ultimate fear of God, while urging the wealthy to assist the underprivileged with food during the Holy month.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the state and across the world on the commencement of the month of Ramadan 1445.
The governor, who described the holy month as a blessed month in which Allah rewards the worship of the Muslim Ummah, charged Muslims to increase their prayers for the country and the state.
Makinde, in a statement by Special Adviser on Media, Suleiman Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, called for increased prayers for the country amid the economic hardship facing the people, noting that though leaders have been doing everything to turn the situation around, prayers were of greater essence at this time.