The Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Saad Abubakar, has directed Muslims ummah to start looking for the new moon of Shawwal 1444 AH tomorrow Thursday the twentieth of April, equivalent to Islamic calendar 29th of Ramadan 1444 AH.
In a statement signed by the chairman advisory committee on religious affairs Sultanate Council Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, says if sighted the information should be forwarded to the nearest village or district head for onward communication to the Sultan.
According to the statement, if the crescent is sighted by Muslims in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then Sultan Abubakar will declare Friday, 21 April, 2023, as the first day of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr.
It says, however, that if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Saturday, 22, April 2023, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.
Reporting by Nasir Malali; Editing by Julian Osamoto