Moon Not Sighted Yet in Nigeria, fasting may continue – Sultan

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared that fasting may continue on Sunday because Nigeria has not sighted the moon, indicating the end of the month of Ramadan.

NSCIA made this known in a statement signed by the Secretary-General, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, on Saturday.
He also enjoined the Muslims to search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th of Ramadan.

“If Muslims sight the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Sunday, March 30, 2025, as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of Idul Fitr,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, Saudi Arabia announced that the crescent of Shawwal has been sighted.

The country also added that Eid al-Fitr will now be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025, to mark the beginning of the new Islamic month.

This disclosure was made on Haramin’s official Facebook page, an official platform for the Muslim community.

“The crescent moon for the month of Shawwal 1446 was sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.”

Days before the announcement, the Federal Government declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1 as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Magdalene Ajani.

The minister congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
He urged all Muslims to “embrace the virtues of self-discipline, compassion, generosity, and peace, emphasising the importance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity in building a harmonious society.”

Tunji-Ojo called on Nigerians to use this festive period to pray for peace, stability, and prosperity of the nation.

He expressed hope that the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr would inspire unity and cooperation across religious and ethnic lines.

He encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly while remembering the less privileged through acts of kindness and charity, in keeping with the true spirit of Ramadan and Eid.