Adedokun Waliyu 
The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has confirmed the sighting of the moon marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 1445AH.
The Sultan, in a post shared by the National Moonsighting Committee Nigeria on its X handle on Sunday, called on Muslims across the country to commence fasting on Monday, March 11, 2024.
Earlier, the crescent, which signals the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
“The Crescent of Ramadan 1445/2024 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia! Subsequently, Ramadan 1445/2024 begins tomorrow, 11 March 2024. Taraweeh Prayers will begin in the Two Holy Mosques after Isha Prayers,” the Haramain Sharafain in Saudi Arabia said in a statement.
The moon, which was spotted on Sunday evening, signals the end of Sha’aban, the eight month of the Hijri Calendar, and the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan which is equivalent to Monday, March 11.
The month of Ramadan is determined by the Lunar Islamic calendar in which months span either 29 or 30 days, and commence as well as conclude based on the sighting of the moon.
Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar in which Muslims world over fast for either 29 or 30 days based on the sighting of the moon. During this period, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
