The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has announced that the Ramadan fast is to start on Wednesday.
The Secretary General of the Council, Ishaq Oloyede, said this in a statement.
The statement, broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) said the crescent had not been sighted, adding that tarawih supererogatory prayers would now be held Tuesday, with Ramadan fasting commencing Wednesday.
�The implication of this is that there is no need for fasting tomorrow,� an Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), said in a statement this morning. �MURIC urges all its members to abide by the NSCIA position in the interest of the unity and the attendant strength of the Ummah.�
������������������������������-
The Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs had on Sunday asked Muslims in the country �to look out for the new moon of�Ramadan on Monday, July 8 and report to top officials of the organisation.
�Where the authorities are satisfied that the crescent has been duly sighted, The President-General and Sultan of Sokoto would announce the commencement of the fast,� the Secretary General of the organisation, Is-haq Oloyede, said in the statement.� However, if the crescent is not sighted on Monday, the Tarawih prayer should be observed on Tuesday the 9th�of July for the commencement of Ramadan on the 10th�of July whether or not it is sighted on that Tuesday.�
Read full statement below.
������������������������������������
PRESS RELEASE
COMMENCEMENT OF RAMADAN FAST 1434 AH/2013 OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA (CE)
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said:
�Commence fasting when you sight the (Ramadan) crescent and terminate fasting when you sight the (Shawwal) crescent. But if the sky is cloudy, then, count 30 days of Sha�ban or of Ramadan as the case may be�.
Therefore, in accordance with the Prophetic tradition, Muslims all over Nigeria are hereby urged to look for the new crescent of Ramadan on Monday, July 8 2013 CE (which corresponds to 29th�day of Sha�ban, 1434 AH.
To this effect, members of the national Moon Sighting Committee have been deployed with appropriate gadgets to various parts of the country for easy sighting of the moon. However, other individuals who are able to sight the crescent are requested to contact, through appropriate authorities, any of the following:
The President-General of NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto Tel: 08036470422
The Deputy President-General (North) of the NSCIA and the Shehu of Borno 08037855555, 08023549558
The Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA and Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land����� Tel: 08027780076
The Emir of Gwandu and all other Emirs Tel. 08036154369
The Lamido of Adamawa Tel. 0756344449
The Esu Nupe Tel. 08039668707
The Otaru of Auchi
The Deputy Secretary-General (South) of NSCIA (Sheikh Adam Idoko)�� Tel: 08036759892
The President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land: Chief Imam of Osogbo Tel. 08035740333
The Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh Hafiz Abou� Tel. 08033085292 and
The Chairman, National Moon Sighting Committee, Dr. Hafis Wali� Tel:08036009090,�08034540120,�08023037478
Where the authorities are satisfied that the crescent has been duly sighted, The President-General and Sultan of Sokoto would announce the commencement of the fast. However, if the crescent is not sighted on Monday, the Tarawih prayer should be observed on Tuesday the 9th�of July for the commencement of Ramadan on the 10th�of July whether or not it is sighted on that Tuesday.
All media houses in the country are kindly requested to promptly publicise any announcement by His Eminence the President-General of the NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto.
Wishing all a blessed Ramadan in advance
�
Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede
Secretary-General, NSCIA
�
�
Source: Vanguard
Thanks
