Press Release
The month of Ramadan (is that) in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). “So, whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. present at his home), he must observe fasting that month” … (Q. Al-Baqarah 2:185)
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1444 A.H. Ramadan fasting exercise. Council prays that may Allah spare the life of every Muslim to witness, participate fully in and benefit maximally from the noble act of worship (ibaadah).
Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Wednesday, 29th Sha’aban, 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to 22nd March, 2022.
If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence shall declare Thursday, 23rd March, 2023 as the first day of Ramadan 1444 A.H. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Friday, 24th March, 2023 shall automatically become the first day of Ramadan.
In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Ramadan 1444 AH:
S/N NAME PHONE NO. EMAIL ADDRESS
1 Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi 08036121311 [email protected]
2 Sheikh Karibullah Kabara 08035537382 [email protected]
3 Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory 08023126335 [email protected]
4 Prof. Z. I. Oboh Oseni 08033574431 [email protected]
5 Mal. Simwal Usman Jibrin 08033140010 [email protected]
6 Sheikh Salihu Yaaqub 07032558231 [email protected]
7 Mal. Jafar Abubakar 08020878075 [email protected]
8 Alh. Abdullahi Umar 08037020607 [email protected]
9 Prof. J. M. Kaura 08067050641 [email protected]
10 Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar 08036509363 [email protected]
11 Muhammad Rabiu Salahudeen 08035740333 [email protected]
12 Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke 08035050804 [email protected]
13 Dr. Ganiy I. Agbaje 08028327463
08057752980 [email protected]
14 Gafar M. Kuforiji 08033545208 [email protected]
15 Prof. Usman El-Nafaty 08062870892 [email protected]
16 Mal. Ibrahim Zubairu Salihu 08038522693 [email protected]
17 Imam Manu
Muhammad 08036999841 [email protected]
18 Qadee Ahmad Bobboy 08035914285 [email protected]
19 Nurudeen Asunogie 08033533012 [email protected]
20 Sheikh Bala Lau 08037008805
08052426880 [email protected]
21 Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir 08065687545 [email protected]
22 Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad 08023141752 [email protected]
23 Muhammad Yaseen Qamarud-Deen 08055322087 [email protected]
24 Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu 08037157100 [email protected]
25 Sheikh Lukman Abdallah 08052242252 [email protected]
26 Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi 08033139153 [email protected]
27 Arc. Zubairu Usman-Ugwu 08033467451 [email protected]
28 Alh. AbdulBariu Kareem 09096369117 [email protected]
29 Prof. Kamil K. Oloso 08023098661 [email protected]
30 Malam Usman Mahmud 08034540120 [email protected]
31 Malam Yahaya Boyi 08030413634 [email protected]
32 Ustaz Mukail Abdurraheem 08099370109 [email protected]
33 Ustaz Nurudeen Ibrahim 08027091623 [email protected]
Council enjoins all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in the month of Ramadan; that He should grant us peace, stability, unity and progress in Nigeria.
Furthermore, Council urges Muslim politicians to display the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity both of which represent some of the core lessons of Ramadan. Let those who emerged victorious in the just concluded elections remember that it is the Almighty Allah Who grants power to whom He wishes. Also, those who lost should accept same with faith and resist any act that may cause disaffection and disunity within the Ummah.
Council also appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend their acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during and after the month of Ramadan. We also admonish traders not to hoard food products or unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of fasting.
Council hereby enjoins Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout, on the night of Wednesday, 22nd of March 2023, for the announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, of the commencement of the year 1444 A.H. Ramadan fast.
We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance.
Allahuma Baligna Ramadan!
Signed.
Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu
Director of Administration
