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Confusion as Chief Imam of Ibadan directs Muslims to commence Ramadan on Thursday
By Bright Ilero
The Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Sheikh AbdulGanniy Abubakar Agbotomokekere has directed Muslim Ummah in Ibadan to commence fasting for the month of Ramadan on Thursday, against the popular view held by majority of Muslim community in the Nigeria and the world over.
According to a statement issued and signed by the grand Imam of Ibadan land dated 22/4/2020 which was taken to some media organizations in Ibadan, Sheikh Agbotomokekere said that ” this is to inform the entire Muslim Ummah that the commencement of Tarawi (Asamu) today Wednesday 22nd of April,2020, equivalent to 29th of Shaban 1441 and tomorrow Thursday 23rd of April 2020 will be the first of Ramadan 1441″.
The statement urged Muslims to observe their Tarawi at home.
The statement however negated the notice of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) which directed Muslims in Nigeria to search for the sighting of the new moon.
NSCIA under the Sultan of Sokoto is the highest Islamic organ in Nigeria that can direct the commencement of fasting.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has enjoined Muslims in the country to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1441 AH immediately after sunset on Thursday, April 23, 2020, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1441 AH.
The council in a statement made available to journalists by Professor Salisu Shehu, Deputy Secretary-General NSCIA prays that Allah spare our lives to this and many more Ramadans on the surface of the earth and give us the ability to carry out good deeds as much as possible because of the multiplicity of its virtues and the blessings of Allah in the Month.
The council noted that if the moon is sighted on Thursday, Ramadan fast would commence on Friday but if not then Ramadan fast would commence on Saturday.
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1441 AH immediately after sunset on Thursday, April 23, 2020, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1441 AH.
Ramadan is the tenth lunar month of Islam where Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, but fasting must commence only when the new moon is sighted and authenticated to have been sighted. But Incase the moon could not be sighted, it is recommended that Shaban, the 9th month that preceded Ramadan should be counted to be 30th.
Based on the directive of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Thursday declared by Sheikh AbdulGanniy Abubakar Agbotomokekere is the 29th of Shaban which is popularly refers to as the day of doubt. In essence, it is the day when Muslims can not be categorical as whether they will go ahead with fasting or not unless the new moon is sighted or reportedly sighted.
Last year, the Chief Imam of Ibadan land commenced fasting a day ahead of other Muslim world.
