Sultan declares Sunday Eld-el-Fitr after sighting of new moon

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Abubakar lll, has declared Sunday (today) the Eld-el-Fitr day.

Few hours after he said new Moon had not been sighted in Nigeria, the Sultan made a U-Turn, stating that Ramadan ended on Saturday following the sighting of the moon, signalling the beginning of the new Islamic month, Shawwal.

In his speech while addressing journalists on Saturday night in his palace, the Sultan disclosed that the moon was sighted in many places in Nigeria by some Islamic leaders and verified by the Sultanate council

The monarch listed cities where moon was sighted to include Sokoto, Kano, Maiduguri, Jos, Zaria, and Kaduna.

The Sultan implored Muslims in Nigeria to continue to live in peace regardless of their religion or ethnic differences.

 He also urged Muslims to pray for Nigeria and her leaders to overcome challenges facing the country.