The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has provisionally set March 11 and March 12, 2024, as the tentative commencement dates for the annual Ramadan fast, contingent upon the sighting of the moon after sunset on Sunday, March 10, 2024. In a statement signed by Prof Salisu Shehu, the Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, the council urged the Muslim Ummah to seek the crescent of Ramadan 1445 on the designated date, equivalent to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
The NSCIA appealed to the faithful who witness credible sightings of the crescent to inform the National Moon Sighting Committee. The statement conveyed the felicitations of the council on the upcoming 1445 AH Ramadan Fast, expressing wishes for Allah to spare the lives of every Muslim to partake in the worship and maximize the benefits.
The President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, endorsed the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee, encouraging the Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 AH on the evening of Sunday, March 10, 2024. If sighted, Monday, March 11, 2024, would be declared as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH. If not, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, would automatically become the first day of Ramadan.
Amidst economic hardships in the country, Prof Salisu Shehu appealed to endowed Muslims to extend acts of charity to the less privileged. The NSCIA also cautioned traders against hoarding food products or unjustifiably increasing prices during the fasting period. The statement concluded with an urging for Muslims to utilize the holy month of Ramadan to pray for divine support for the Palestinians and their liberation from oppression.
