THE Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its president-general and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has enjoined the Muslims in Nigeria to look out for the crescent of Sha’aban 1445AH after sunset on Saturday, 29th Rajab, 1445AH (February 10, 2024) ahead of this year’s Ramadan fasting.
The deputy secretary-general of the NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu, noted this on Friday in a statement.
This newspaper Saturday reports that Sha’aban, being the eighth lunar calendar month, indicates that this year’s Ramadan (9th lunar month) is about a month away.
“Scientifically, the expected time for the conjunction of the moon is on Friday, February 9, 2024 by 11:59pm. It is important to note that the moon appears and can be sighted usually long (even bearing other environmental factors) after the conjunction has taken place,” Shehu said.
