Today is Eid el-Fitr, a day Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. As millions of the faithful gather across Nigeria, they are enjoined by religious leaders to reflect on and maintain the virtues of the season.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, had declared Friday (today) as the first day of Shawwal 1444AH in Nigeria.
The Sultan made the declaration in his palace in Sokoto on Thursday after the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee received several reports from various Moon Sighting committees across the country.
He said, therefore, Thursday is the 29th day of the month of Ramadan 1444 AH. and Friday is Eid Fitr.
The Sultan said he has accepted the report and accordingly declared Friday as the first day of Shawwal 1444AH, the Day of Eid-el-Fitr.
He felicitated Nigerian Muslims and wished them God’s guidance and blessings, urging them to continue to pray for peace progress and development of the country.
The message came upon the conclusion of the month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fasted during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset.
READ ALSO: Eid For Sunni Muslims Starts On Friday, Shiites Wait Another Day
President Muhammadu Buhari, in his goodwill message on Thursday, congratulated Muslims on successfully completing the demanding spiritual obligation.
While praying to God to reward the faithful for their sacrifices during the fasting season, Buhari advised that “we shouldn’t forget the important lessons of the Ramadan which includes improving our bond with the underprivileged and poor members of society”.
According to him, abstention from food and drinks during the fasting period had “made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of those who go without eating every day”.
In a similar vein, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, rejoiced with the Muslim faithful for the successful completion of the 1444/2023 Ramadan, in which he said lessons must have been learnt.
Reflecting on the significance of the Ramadan fasting, the Speaker said Muslims should internalise the lessons and good habits that usually come with the religious practice.
He called on Muslims across the country to use the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr to pray for the country, noting that such periods call for sober reflection and unity from all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
“Nigeria is the only country we can call ours, hence the citizens, especially Muslims at this time, must work together and pray assiduously for continuous peaceful coexistence among the people,” he said.
Also, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, in a series of tweets Thursday, stated that one of the greatest blessings of Ramadan is that “it helps us to get closer to our Creator, strengthen our faith, and promote charity or the spirit of giving to the weak and poor”.
I congratulate my fellow Muslims for successfully witnessing the end of this year's Ramadan fasting period, a period that came with tough spiritual challenges that were designed to strengthen our Iman and Tawheed.
During this period of self-discipline, we had seen the importance…
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) April 20, 2023
According to him, it is important that the Muslim faithful continue to live with the spirit of love, peace and harmony that Ramadan requires.
“It is equally important that we remember our country as we pray at our respective Eid prayer grounds. We must pray for God to enlarge His mercies and blessings upon the country,” he said.
