Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has announced that Ramadan will start on Friday, April 24.
The NSCIA President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, announced this as he confirmed that the new moon was sighted on Thursday.
Also, the National Moonsighting Committee Nigeria has uploaded a video on its official Twitter handle to announce that the new moon has been sighted.
Meanwhile, the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan also starts on Friday in Saudi Arabia and most Arab countries.
It was earlier reported by Everyevery.ng the new moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia
During Ramadan, Muslims have to abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to sunset.
Though Muslims also mark the month by performing special evening prayers, known as the Taraweeh, the lockdown imposed in many countries amid the novel coronavirus pandemic would not make that possible.
Many countries, including the Sultan of Sokoto, had asked the faithful to pray in their homes.
Other Arab countries who have also announced that Ramadan will start on Friday include Kuwait, Qatar, Tunisia, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq’s Sunni Muslim minority.