Press Release: Commencement of Ramadan Fast 1434 AH/2013 (CE)

(6th July 2013 CE)

COMMENCEMENT OF RAMADAN FAST 1434 AH/2013 OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA (CE)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said:

“Commence fasting when you sight the (Ramadan) crescent and terminate fasting when you sight the (Shawwal) crescent. But if the sky is cloudy, then, count 30 days of Sha‘ban or of Ramadan as the case may be”.

Therefore, in accordance with the Prophetic tradition, Muslims all over Nigeria are hereby urged to look for the new crescent of Ramadan on Monday, July 8 2013 CE (which corresponds to 29th day of Sha‘ban, 1434 AH.

To this effect, members of the national Moon Sighting Committee have been deployed with appropriate gadgets to various parts of the country for easy sighting of the moon. However, other individuals who are able to sight the crescent are requested to contact, through appropriate authorities, any of the following:

• The President-General of NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto Tel: 08036470422
• The Deputy President-General (North) of the NSCIA and the Shehu of Borno 08037855555, 08023549558
• The Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA and Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land Tel: 08027780076
• The Emir of Gwandu and all other Emirs Tel. 08036154369
• The Lamido of Adamawa Tel. 0756344449
• The Esu Nupe Tel. 08039668707
• The Otaru of Auchi
• The Deputy Secretary-General (South) of NSCIA (Sheikh Adam Idoko) Tel: 08036759892
• The President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land: Chief Imam of Osogbo Tel. 08035740333
• The Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh Hafiz Abou Tel. 08033085292 and
• The Chairman, National Moon Sighting Committee, Dr. Hafis Wali Tel: 08036009090, 08034540120, 08023037478.

Where the authorities are satisfied that the crescent has been duly sighted, The President-General and Sultan of Sokoto would announce the commencement of the fast. However, if the crescent is not sighted on Monday, the Tarawih prayer should be observed on Tuesday the 9th of July for the commencement of Ramadan on the 10th of July whether or not it is sighted on that Tuesday.

All media houses in the country are kindly requested to promptly publicise any announcement by His Eminence the President-General of the NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto.

Wishing all a blessed Ramadan in advance.

Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede,
Secretary-General, NSCIA.

The following may be contacted

Chairmen of States Moon-sighting Committees: