FELICITATION AND MOONSIGHTING FOR RAMADAN 1439 A.H.
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 Ramadan, 1439 A.H. The Council prays that Allah grant the Ummah the opportunity to maximise the benefits and blessings of the Holy Month.
Following the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1439 AH immediately after sunset on Wednesday, 16th May, 2018 equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1439 AH. If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, His Eminence would declare Thursday, 17th May, 2017 as the first day of Ramadan. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Friday, 18th May, 2018 automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1439 AH.
The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the Country to be on the lookout for the announcement of His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1439 AH Ramadan fast.
DEATH OF CAN'S GENERAL SECRETARY
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 heard with sorrow the news of the sudden death of the General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Musa Idowu Asake who reportedly died in the early hours of last Friday after a brief illness.
Dr. Asake was relatively a young man but death has no hinting schedule for age, time and place in its diary of operation in the life of humans. Thus, the occurrence of death in the life of Dr. Asake as in many other lives is a further reminder and confirmation that human life is transient. We all live to die and die to live again.
Death is a phenomenon which can neither be averted nor altered when it is time for it to act especially in human life. As the General Secretary of CAN, Dr. Asake was an active member of Nigerian Interreligious Council (NIREC) whose role was prominent in the operations of that Council. His death will no doubt create a vacuum in the interreligious community, which may be difficult to fill.
The President-General of NSCIA, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar and the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah condole with the leadership of CAN and sympathize with the family of Dr. Asake, praying the Almighty God to grant them the fortitude with which to bear the agony of his death. We are all from God and to God we shall all return.
With or without death of individuals among Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, we should always remember that our coexistence as human beings and as Nigerians has a purpose before God for which we must ventilate a peaceful atmosphere for all and sundry irrespective of differences in faith and tribes. It is only in peace that we can jointly live harmoniously for the upliftment of our country.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
Signed
Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, OFR, FNAL
Secretary-General
SHA’BAN PRESS RELEASE
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, wishes to inform the Nigerian Muslim Ummah that, there was no positive sighting of the crescent of Sha’ban, 1439AH on the 29th of Rajab, 1439AH, equivalent to 16th April, 2018. Therefore, Tuesday, 17th April, 2018 is the last day of Rajab, 1439AH.
In line with the above, His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, has approved Wednesday, 18th April, 2018 as the 1st day of Sha’ban, 1439AH.
The Council hereby enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to continue to promote peaceful coexistence and unity among all the citizens of the country.
Signed
Prof. Salisu Shehu
Deputy Secretary-General
RAJAB PRESS RELEASE
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, - wishes to inform the Nigerian Muslim Ummah that, Monday, 19th March, 2018 is the 1st day of Rajab, 1439AH.
The Council hereby enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to continue to promote peaceful coexistence and unity among all the citizens of the country.
Signed
Professor Salisu Shehu
Deputy Secretary-General
NSCIA