A Sokoto Muslim cleric, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, flouted the order of the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Tuesday by leading his followers to observe the Eid prayers.
News About Nigeria reported that yesterday, the Sultan declared Wednesday the day of Eid-el-Fitr.
According to him, the decision to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr on Wednesday was because of the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country, which confirmed the non-sighting of the new moon.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia had also fixed Wednesday for Eid-el-Fitr saying the moon of Shawwal was not sighted.
In contrast to the directive from the Sultan, Lukwa was seen conducting prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30 am on Tuesday.
When queried, the Islamic cleric justified his actions, saying that the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday.
He said, “There were reports of sightings of the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic. 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 neighbours. And remember, there is no fasting on Sallah day. It is prohibited.”
