The Federal Government had earlier declared a two-day holiday for the festivities – Tuesday and Wednesday – but the crescent moon was not sighted yesterday.
The Federal Government has extended the public holiday for the Eid-El-Fitr celebration to Thursday.
On Sunday, it declared a two-day holiday – Tuesday and Wednesday – for the festivities.
However, the crescent moon was not sighted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, meaning the Eid celebration will take place on Wednesday. This prompted the Federal Government to add an extra day to the already-declared public holiday.
“The Federal Government has approved Thursday 11th April 2024 as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr,” the Ministry of Interior Permanent Secretary Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said in an early Tuesday statement.
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“The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation reiterates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.”
On Tuesday, the Haramain on its official X handle said the crescent moon which signals the end of the Holy month of Ramadan was not sighted in Saudi Arabia.
“The crescent moon was NOT sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th April 2024,” the tweet read.
“It’s difficult to sight the Shawwal crescent due to the clouds,” the observer of the crescent Abdullah Al-Khudairi said in another post.
Later on, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Wednesday, April 10th, as the day for Eid-Fitri.
He said the declaration followed the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country that confirmed that the moon has not been sighted.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings,” the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council Sambo Junaidu said.
“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-Fitri.”
Countries with most public holidays
Various countries in the world enjoy a multitude of public holidays, reflecting their cultural, religious, and historical diversity.
Public holidays, also known as national holidays, are specific days in a year set aside by law for non-working purposes.
These days commemorate significant historical events, religious observances, or adhere to a particular calendar system.
Despite insinuations that some African countries are inundated with public holidays, no country on the continent makes the top 10 in holidays, with Morocco coming in as 11th on the ranking.
Among nations worldwide, Cambodia holds the record for the highest number of public holidays, boasting a total of 28 observed annually.
Following closely, Sri Lanka has 25 public holidays, while both India and Kazakhstan observe 21.
Colombia, the Philippines, and Trinidad and Tobago each celebrate 18 public holidays, while China and Hong Kong have 17.
In Nigeria, there are around 11 public holidays observed annually. These holidays include both religious and non-religious celebrations, marking significant events such as New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Christmas, and Eid al-Fitr, among others.
List of countries with the highest number of public holidays according to World Atlas
1: Cambodia – 28 public holidays
2: Sri Lanka – 25 public holidays
3: India, Kazakhstan – 21 public holidays
4: Colombia, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago – 18 public holidays
5: China, Hong Kong – 17 public holidays
6: Thailand, Turkey, Pakistan – 16 public holidays
7: Japan, Malaysia, Argentina, Lithuania, Sweden – 15 public holidays
8: Indonesia, Chile, Slovakia – 14 public holidays
9: South Korea, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Taiwan, Nepal – 13 public holidays
10: Finland, Russia – 12 public holidays
11: Singapore, Italy, Denmark, France, UAE, Morocco, Czech Republic, Luxembourg 11 public holidays
