The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon on Friday, signalling the start of the Ramadan fast in Nigeria.
According to a live broadcast on Friday by Kano’s Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the Sultan has confirmed that the 2022 Ramadan fast will begin on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
“Today, Friday 1st of April, 2022 marks the end of month of Sha’aban, 1443 and tomorrow Insha Allah we will start fasting in accordance with Shari’a. Available reports we received from many so states including Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Katsina, Plateau, Kaduna and Kano all confirmed sighting of the new moon.
“Consequently, we call on all Muslims to start the fasting in this Holy Month of Ramadan tomorrow, Insha Allah,” the Sultan said.
The Sultan is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
In Islamic tradition, the fasting period is a time for reflection during which Muslims are expected to multiply their good deeds and show sympathy for the needy.
Ramadan fasting is one of Islam’s five pillars and is mandatory for all adult Muslims, with the exception of those who are sick, travelling, or observing their menstrual cycle, pregnant, or elderly.
