Eid-el-Fitr: Sokoto imam leads prayers despite no moon sighting

With confidence, Sheikh Musa Lukwa defied the directive given by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and led his followers to observe Eid prayers on Tuesday.

According to recent reports, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) announced on Monday night that fasting would continue on Tuesday, as the crescent moon could not be sighted.

This decision was made under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, and was aimed at ensuring that Islamic traditions observe the fasting period.

The Sultan declared Wednesday as the first of Shawwal and Eid day, which would commemorate the completion of the 2024 Ramadan fast.

The Saudi Arabian authorities had also announced Wednesday for the celebration of the 2024 Eid-el-fitr.

But Sheikh Lukwa, who has over the years disobeyed the Sultan’s directive on moon sighting, led prayers at his Juma’at mosque on Tuesday morning.

Lukwa claimed that the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday night.

“There were reports of sightings of the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic.

“We have a verified video clip of their Council of Ulamah authenticating the report after which the country declared Tuesday as Sallah day. So it is now binding on us to observe Eid on Tuesday because this is what the teachings of the Holy Prophet says.

“If we can accept that of Saudi Arabia, why can’t we agree with that of Niger Republic which is nearer to us?

“I am not saying all Nigerian Muslims must observe their Eid prayerson Tuesday but we have no moral justification not to observe our prayer on Tuesday because the new moon was sighted by our neighbors. And remember there is no fasting on Sallah day, it is prohibited,” he said.

The PAPERS recalls that in 2022, a cleric in Sokoto State chose to lead Muslims for Eid prayers on a date that differed from the one recommended by the Sultan, despite the directive.