Ramadan fast has begun following the sighting of the moon, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has confirmed.
The Islamic holy month Ramadan 2021 will begin Tuesday evening of April 13 in Nigeria and end on Wednesday, May 12.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is marked by Muslims around the world fasting for 30 days.
In a live broadcast held from his palace on Monday evening, April 12, the Sultan urged Muslims to ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols during the Ramadan period.
“Reliable reports of moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across the country, which they duly verified and authenticated before sending to us.
”Consequently, tomorrow, Tuesday, the 13th day of April, 2021, becomes the first day of Ramadan.”
The Ramadan month is a time for reflection, contemplation, and celebration when Muslims around the world observe fasting for 29 or 30 days. Fasting during the holy month is one of the five pillars of Islam.
During the month, Muslim faithful are expected to desist from eating, drinking, and any form of sexual relationship from dawn till dusk.
Fasting in Ramadan is made compulsory for all adult Muslims, except for an individual who is sick, travelling, observing the menstrual cycle, pregnant, or elderly.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan marking the commencement of 30 days of fast.
In a message to the nation to mark the occasion, Buhari prayed to Allah to accept “our sacrifices and increase the unity, solidarity, peace and prosperity of the nation.”
Buhari, according to a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, urged Muslims in the country to exercise patience and tolerance and reject voices that seek to divide the nation.
He also urged all citizens to show compassion to the millions of the less endowed and remember those that have been displaced by conflict in their charity and prayers in this important period.
