A Sokoto-based cleric, Musa Lukuwa has defied Sultan Saad Abubakar’s directive that Eid-el-Fitr will be held Wednesday.
The President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) had stated that following the non-sighting of the Shawwal moon on Monday, Ramadan would continue on Tuesday.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings.
“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress, and development of the country, also wishes all Muslims a happy Eid-el-Fitr,” the Sultan said in a statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Prof. Sambo Junaidu
However, Lukuwa led his followers to observe the Eid prayer at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30 am on Tuesday, in defiance of the Sultan’s directive.
Justifying the action, Lukuwa said the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday
“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.”
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“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 say.
“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.
Lukuwa has been defying the Sultan’s directives, accusing the monarch of forcing Muslims to accept the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia which he believes is against the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The cleric, however, challenged any scholar with a contrary view to a public debate.
