A Sokoto-based Islamic cleric, Musa Lukuwa, on Thursday led his followers in observing Eid al-Fitr prayers despite a directive by Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III declaring Friday as the official day for the celebration.
Lukuwa conducted the two-unit Eid prayer at his mosque in Mabera at about 9:10 a.m., shortly after the Sultan announced that the Shawwal crescent moon had not been sighted anywhere in Nigeria, thereby extending the Ramadan fast by an additional day.
In a message shared with his followers, the cleric defended his action, citing confirmed reports of moon sightings in neighbouring Niger Republic. He argued that such reports should not be disregarded, especially when sightings from distant locations within Nigeria are often accepted.
He maintained that his decision was guided by religious conviction rather than an attempt to challenge the Sultan’s authority. According to him, while he typically aligns with official directives, adherence to verified moon sightings remains a key principle in Islamic practice.
Providing historical context, Lukuwa referenced the era of Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi, noting that scholars previously announced moon sightings independently before the responsibility became centralised under the Sultan to promote unity among Muslims.
Despite acknowledging the importance of unity, the cleric insisted that the Sultan’s declaration on this occasion was incorrect. He reportedly informed his followers late at night and directed them to assemble for Eid prayers the following morning.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, is widely recognised as the authority responsible for declaring the start and end of Ramadan based on verified moon sightings. However, اختلافات over moon sighting interpretations, particularly involving reports from neighbouring countries, have occasionally led to differing observances among some clerics and communities.
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