As the ongoing Ramadan fasting draws to an end, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has reminded Muslims across the country of the compulsory food-levy (Zakatul Fitr) imposed on privileged ones and to be given to the less privileged in the society upon the completion of Ramadan fasting.
The council appealed to all concerned to ensure that they do not only comply but also comply on time, stating that the stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan and not later than before the ‘Id prayer.
The Nigeria’s apex Islamic body while urging all Muslims to pray fervently to the Almighty Allah, especially during the concluding part of Ramadan, for the peace, security and development of Nigeria, enjoined the Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Thursday, 29th Ramadan 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to 20th April 2023.
The body in a statement signed by its director of administration, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, said if the crescent is sighted by Muslims in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then its president-general and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, would declare Friday, April 21, 2023 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr. However, if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Saturday, 22nd April 2023, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr’.
