Fasting: Sultan declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Sa’ad Abubakar III has declared Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH in Nigeria. The Sultan made the announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Friday, confirming the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in various parts of the country. He stated that reports of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across Nigeria. “After due verification and authentication by the National Moon Sighting Committee, as well as confirmations from state committees, the new moon of Ramadan was officially recognised, marking the end of Sha’aban 1446 AH. “In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims are to commence fasting on Saturday, March 1,” the Sultan declared. He urged Muslim faithful to dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah (SWT) throughout the holy month and to use this period to pray for prevailing peace across the country and also pray for the leaders. Additionally, the Sultan encouraged wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged, emphasising the importance of religious tolerance and unity among Nigerians. He prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the leaders in their commitment to leading the country. Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset with the intention of worshiping Almighty Allah. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which adult Muslims observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset for a complete month.
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.
Muslims Asked to Watch for Sha’aban Moon on Wednesday
As the global Muslim Umma prepare for the commencement of Ramadhan fasting, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has called for the observance of the crescent moon of Sha’aban 1446 AH on Wednesday, January 29. In a statement from Sokoto, the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs encouraged Muslims to report moon sightings to their local district or village heads. READ ALSO: Gov Bago says Niger State to construct $2mn poultry farm in Bosso This observation marks the start of Sha’aban, the Islamic calendar’s eighth month, which precedes Ramadan. The Sultan offered prayers for divine blessings and guidance as Muslims prepare for their spiritual duties.
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.
BREAKING: Sultan Must Be Guarded Jealously, Shettima Tells Sokoto Govt
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has told the government of Sokoto State that His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, must be guarded jealously. The nation’s number two citizen said this at the ongoing North West Peace & Security Summit, which is being broadcast live on Trust TV. The event is ongoing in Katsina State. “In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.” “And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you, Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea, he is an Institution, that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation,” Shettima said. Shettima spoke after the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), Prof. Isiaq Akintola raised the alarm that the Sokoto government is allegedly plotting to depose the Sultan. Governor Ahmed Aliyu had earlier deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences. In his statement, Akintola said Nigerian Muslims would reject any thought of deposing the Sultan. “Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now, using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier. “MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims. “Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the NSCIA,” Akintola said.
EID-EL-KABIR: Feast of the Sacrifice
Eid-el-Kabir is an Arabic expression for “Feast of the Sacrifice”. It is also called Bakr-Eid, Sacrifice Feast. Eid-el-Kabir can also be called Eid-al-Adha. The origin of the feast is linked to Ibrahim being ordered to sacrifice his son and he simply obeyed, but, Allah in His infinite mercy gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead of his son Ishmael. It was the angel Jibril that stopped him and told him that due to his submissiveness, his sacrifice had been accepted. Following this was Ibrahim’s journey from Canaan to the rocky desert of Mecca, Saudi Arabia with his wife Hagar, Adnan, and Ishmael. On his return to Canaan, he left behind Hagar and Ishmael who ran out of food and water, but by Allah’s divine provision, Hagar and her son were able to drink from a spring of water and even got food to freshen themselves. Ishmael became a prophet and dedicated himself to spreading the message of submission to Allah to nomads in Arabia. This served as a precedent to the Hajj performed during the period. Eid-el-Kabir is considered the holiest of the two Muslim celebrations; the other being eid el fitr. During eid, worshippers come out massively for congregational prayers. This is done worldwide. After the prayers, usually at open fields that serve as masjid or mosques, animals are slaughtered symbolising Ibrahim’s own willingness to sacrifice his own son. The symbolic sacrifice is done in various countries by slaughtering a cow, ram, camel or goat, depending on the predominant culture in a given place. However, the domestic animal used must be in top form and healthy, outstanding in all ramifications, to qualify for the sacrifice. The animals sacrificed are meant to be divided into three parts. One part is for the family who slaughtered it. While the other two are for relatives and friends. Also, families visit one another and share meals together even after the celebration. The period is usually characterized by intensive prayer by the faithful for individual families, those in authority and for global peace. Muslims climax the period with gorgeous dressing. Significantly, women seem to attach more interest to trending fashions. Thanks to their husbands who always provide for their families to ensure their wives and children come out in their best attires. Usually, eid festivities are kicked off by annannouncement by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, regarding the sighting of the new moon, following which a date for eid is calculated. In Nigeria, on the sideline of activities during the period is the flamboyant display by the royals across all the emirates who richly dress and ride on horses that are well decorated, holding durbars and other social activities which attract all citizens. There is also an exchange of official visits between the traditional rulers and political leaders. For many years, Eid-El-Kabir celebration, like other religious festivals was used as a tool for galvanizing the citizenry by the government. On the ocassion of the 2024 Eid el Adha, Nigerian Anchor Newspaper felicitates with our Muslim readers and, indeed, all Nigerians on this blessed month, being a period for sacrifice, charity and dedication to the worship of Almighty God. As we celebrate the festival, May God accept our prayers and other acts of devotion and bless our families and our nation with Peace, Stability and Progress. Happy Eid-el-Kabir.
Shelve Planned Strike, Tinubu, Sultan Beg NLC, TUC
President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the labour unions to give government more time to address the issues bedeviling the country. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have fixed October 3rd to embark on an indefinite strike following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government and the attendant hardship it has brought on Nigerians. Tinubu, who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, at a public lecture to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary on Friday in Abuja, announced that the Federal Government is determined to address the socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians. Whilst urging them to sheathe their swords “in the interest of the masses”, Tinubu said his government was doing everything within its power to bring succour to Nigerians. “I want to emphasise as well that this government is new and the government is doing all within its powers to make sure it brings succour to the entire people of this country. “Government has already gone ahead to provide N500 billion to states to cushion the effects of subsidy removal. The President enjoined members of the unions to consider dialogue as the best way to resolve the issues. “The Sultan also talked about the issue of strike by the NLC. Please, on behalf of the President and the entire government, this is not the time for strike. It is too early. “Please let’s dialogue, let’s get together, let’s understand ourselves and let us look at the prevailing situation in the country,” he said. Earlier in his remark, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), had appealed to labour unions to shelve the nationwide strike slated to commence on Tuesday. Abubakar urged Labour not to embark on the industrial action but continue to dialouge with the Federal Government. He emphasised the need for dialogue to find solutions to the issues “instead of embarking on a strike”. “I am an advocate of dialogue because strikes don’t solve problems; they make them worse. Our leaders must tighten their belt, the common man is suffering. “I don’t think this government will just decide to make life bad for the people; as leaders and elders, we will always call on stakeholders not to embark on journeys that will make life worse for the common man. “I don’t think government can take it upon itself to make life unbearable for the common man, let’s give them chance and see what they can do,” he said. According to him, strike will add more problems to the existing economic situation. “If people are on strike, there wouldn’t be electricity, water, hospital and transportation system. “Please, let’s reach out to our brothers and sisters who are clamouring to go on strike. They should have a rethink,” Sultan appealed.
Sultan, Kukah seek community involvement in tackling security challenges
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for increased community representatives’ involvement in solving the lingering security challenges facing the nation. Abubakar, who was represented by Dr Jabbi Kilgore, the District Head of Kingori made the call during a town hall organised by the Kukah Centre for Peace in collaboration with Global Right, an NGO on Tuesday in Sokoto. The Sultan said that bad governance, injustice and inequality were some factors contributing to insecurity. He enjoined leaders at all levels to be fair in dealing with their subjects and know that they would give an account of their stewardship after leaving this world. In his keynote address, Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah also identified religious intolerance, fanaticism and injustice as some of the factors responsible for insecurity in the country. Kukah also said that sectionalism, fanaticism, injustice and religious intolerance were responsible for insecurity in the country. He urged stakeholders at the meeting to come together to form common front in curbing the menace saying insecurity know no religion. Earlier, Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto state, represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Torankawa rreiterated the commitment of the government to partner with groups and association in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state. The Sokoto state commissioner of police, Ali Kaigama, also emphasised on the need for public support to community policing drives initiated by the Nigerian Police. Kaigama said the police will continue to partner with the Nigerian army and other sister security agencies in tackling insecurity in the country. In his presentation, Prof. Tukur Baba, the Dean Faculty of Social Sciences in Federal University Birnin Kebbi dwelled on factors that promoted insecurity from pre-independece. Baba advised authorities to change the land use act, taxations and consider global, regional, national and community approaches to holistically deal with the problems of insecurity. He described the assessment by the National Bureau of Statics revealing the poverty index as glaring. ”This is the effect of insecurity, maladministration and poor people attitude in the northwest,” he said.