In anticipation of this year’s Ramadan fasting, Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has commanded Muslims in Nigeria to search for the crescent of Sha’aban 1445AH after sunset on Saturday, 29th Rajab, 1445AH (February 10, 2024).
Professor Salisu Shehu, the Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, made the call on behalf of Abubakar in a statement.
“Scientifically, the expected time for the conjunction of the moon is on Friday, February 9, 2024, by 11:59 pm. It is important to note that the moon appears and can be sighted usually long (even bearing other environmental factors) after the conjunction has taken place,” the statement partly reads.
The eighth lunar month, Sha’aban, suggests that Ramadan, the ninth lunar month this year, is anticipated to start in early March.
