Muslims Begin Ramadan Fast Tomorrow ...Niger gov, Obanikoro, IGP for MMPN Ramadan Lecture

The 1435 A.H Ramadan fast would begin tomorrow. This followed the non-sighting of the moon by experts deployed by the Sultan of Sokoto, and the President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, His eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar to various communities and forest areas all over the country to look out for the new moon.

Also, The Secretary General of the Islamic body, Prof Ishaq Oloyede in a chat with Saturday Vanguard yesterday said “the moon was not sighted anywhere in the country and so, Muslims would begin fasting on Sunday and observe Tarawih tonight.”As early as 6pm yesterday, Muslims including journalists had gathered at the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto in anticipation for the new moon. But as at 9pm yesterday, there was no indication that the moon would be sighted.

We gathered that there was a mutual understanding within the Muslim Community world-over that once there was no information to that effect by 8.30pm, it would mean that Muslims would count Sha’ban to 30 days and commence Ramadan fast thereafter.

Prominent Nigerians are expected to grace the ninth Ramadan lecture of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) tomorrow in Abuja.

MMPN chairman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said, in a statement, that the lecture would hold at the National Mosque hall in Abuja, starting from 11.00 a.m.

While Governor Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State is slated as the chairman, Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, will be the father of the day and Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, special guest of honour.

Entitled: “Peace and Leadership: The Missing Link,” the lecture will be delivered by Professor Musa AbdurRaheem of the University of Ado-Ekiti and Malam Nurudeen Lemu.