Sokoto Imam Defies Sultan, Leads Eid-li-fitr Prayers

Recall that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had declared Wednesday, April 10 as the first of Shawwal and Eid day, commemorating the completion of this year’s Ramadan fast.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a Sokoto-based cleric, on Tuesday, led his followers to observe eid prayer.

The council said the crescent moon was not sighted on Monday, the same view earlier held by Saudi Arabia authorities.

But Lukwa, who has over the years disobeyed the Sultan’s directive on moon sighting, led prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30am on Tuesday, April 9.

Lukwa insisted that the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday, April 8.

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

“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 prayer on 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.

Followers of Sokoto Imam who defied Sultan
In Islam, Eid day usually falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal, which signals the end of the fasting month (Ramadan).

However, a disagreement usually occurs among Islamic nations and sects regarding the sighting of a new moon.