Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a prominent cleric hailing from Sokoto State, made headlines on Tuesday as he chose to lead his followers in observing eid-el-fitr prayers, despite the directive issued by the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA),leadership reports.
This act of defiance stemmed from a heated debate surrounding the sighting of the crescent moon, which traditionally signifies the commencement of the month of Shawwal and the conclusion of Ramadan.
The NSCIA, under the leadership of Sultan Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had officially declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the designated Eid day and the onset of Shawwal in the Islamic lunar calendar. This decision was based on the non-appearance of the crescent moon on Monday. It was in alignment with a similar proclamation by Saudi Arabian authorities, who stated that the Ramadan fast should extend into Tuesday, marking the 30th day of the holy month.
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However, Sheikh Musa Lukwa proceeded to conduct the Eid prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30 am on Tuesday. He justified his actions by asserting that the new moon had been sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday, April 8, thereby signifying the end of Ramadan on Monday.
Lukwa supported his stance by citing reports of the new crescent sighting in various locations, including Nigeria, but highlighted the confirmation from Niger Republic as the most compelling evidence. He emphasized the authenticity of a verified video clip showing the Council of Ulamah in Niger Republic confirming the sighting, leading to the country’s declaration of Tuesday as Sallah day.
The cleric argued that geographical proximity lent credence to the sighting in Niger Republic, making it equally valid as those from Saudi Arabia, which are conventionally accepted. He stressed that while his position didn’t compel all Nigerian Muslims to observe Eid on Tuesday, it provided a moral imperative for his followers to do so, given the legitimacy of the sighting by their neighbors.
The discord regarding moon sighting is a recurring issue within the Nigerian Islamic community, reflecting the diversity of opinions among different nations and sects.
In Islam, Eid-El-Fitr signifies the conclusion of Ramadan and the advent of the new month of Shawwal.
