Saudi Arabia, on Monday, said the crescent of Shawwal has not been sighted, indicating that the fasting will continue on Tuesday.
It also added that the Eid-El-Fitr would hold on Wednesday, April 10 to mark the beginning of the new Islamic month.
This disclosure was made on Haramin’s official Facebook page, an official platform for the Muslim community across the world.
“The crescent moon was not sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th April 2024.
“May Allāh allow us to utilise the remaining moments of this blessed month to engage in that which pleases Him, may He accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl & may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn,” it wrote.
However, Nigerian Muslims are expected to wait for the announcement of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sa’ad Abubakar, later in the day.
The Sultan on Sunday called on Muslims across the nation to look out for the new moon marking the beginning of Shawwal 1445 AH.
In a statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council in Sokoto, Sambo Wali, he urged individuals who spot the new moon to promptly inform the relevant authorities.
“Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH on Monday and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, the Sultan of Sokoto,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Wednesday April 10, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH (Eid el Fitr Day).
The Sultan, the head of the Muslim community in Nigeria, said this because the moon was not sighted anywhere in Nigeria.
Abubakar said this on Monday after receiving the report of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religion and the National Moon Sighting Committee.
The committees in their reports stated that it had not received any report from the moon sighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH on Monday, which was the 29th day of Ramadan 1445AH.
The statement said: “Tuesday 9th April 2024 is the 30th day of the month of Ramadan 1445AH.
“His Eminence, the Sultan after accepting the report, declared Wednesday 10th April 2024 as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH (Eid el Fitr Day) accordingly.”