Ramadan: Pray for country, leadership, self – Bago tells Muslims

Mohammed-Umaru Bago of Niger has called for sustained prayers by the people for President Bola Tinubu, the country and the state government. The governor also sought Allah’s guidance in securing lives and property, while praying for the socio-economic prosperity of the nation. Bago made the call in a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, as Muslims begin the 2025 Ramadan fast on Saturday. According to him, the period is a special month of spiritual exercise, which brings blessings, favours, and forgiveness from Allah. Bago urged the Muslim community in the state to use the period for spiritual rejuvenation and growth. He stressed the need for self-reflection and increased devotion. He encouraged Muslims to allow their spiritual growth to influence all aspects of their lives beyond the Ramadan period. He also advised them to engage in righteous deeds. The governor reiterated his approval of a food price reduction during Ramadan. He said this would ease the burden on the less privileged and support their fasting. He reminded those handling the subsidised food sales to act justly, fairly, and with sincerity. He urged them to ensure that the initiative meets its intended purpose. Bago also reaffirmed his commitment to improving the living conditions of the people. 

Watch out for the Ramadan crescent

The Sultan of Sokoto and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Emminence Saad Abubakar has urged Muslims to watch out for the new moon of Ramadan. in a statement by Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs at the Sultanate it was admonished that the appropriate time to watch out for the crescent was Friday, 29th Sha’aban, 1446AH. It was advised in the statement that anyone who sights the new moon should please inform His Emminence via his telephone contact details which were provided to include the following: 08037157100, 080660303077, 08035965322, 08099945903, and 07067146900. Fasting by abstaining from food, drink and other bodily pleasures is enjoined on all Muslims from sunrise to sunset all through the month of Ramadan, being the nineth month of the Muslim calendar.

Islamic New Year: Sultan of Sokoto declares July 7 as first day of Muharram 1446 AH

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Sunday, July 7, 2024, as the first day of Muharram, marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year 1446 After Hijrah. The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu. The statement clarified that the national and various moon sighting committees across the country did not receive any reports of the sighting of the new moon of Muharram on Friday, July 5, 2024, which corresponded to the 29th of Dhul’Hijja 1445 AH. Consequently, Saturday, July 6, 2024, will be the 30th of Dhul’Hijja. The Sultan extended his felicitations to Nigerian Muslims on the occasion of the Islamic New Year and urged them to continue praying for the peace, progress, and development of the country.