Despite the crescent moon not being sighted, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a cleric based in Sokoto, led his followers in observing the Eid prayer on Tuesday.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had declared Wednesday, April 10, as the first day of Shawwal and Eid to mark the end of Ramadan.
The council stated that the crescent moon was not seen on Monday, a view also shared by Saudi Arabia.
However, Lukwa, who has a history of not following the Sultan’s moon sighting directive, conducted prayers at his Juma’at mosque at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9. He claimed that the Shawwal moon was sighted in the neighboring Niger Republic on Monday, April 8.
“There were reports of sightings on the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic,” he declared.
“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 says.
“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 neighbors. And remember there is no fasting on Sallah day, it is prohibited,” he said.
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