By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Saudi Arabia has announced sighting the crescent of the new lunar month marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan in the kingdom.
People in Saudi Arabia will observe their first fast tomorrow (Saturday).
This was confirmed in post on Friday, February 28, 2024, by the Inside The Haramain, a publication that focused on the Two Holy Mosques in Islam.
The post reads; “#Ramadan1446 Crescent has been SEEN in Saudi Arabia.
“Subsequently, Saturday, 1st March 2025 is the beginning of the month of Ramadan.”
Meanwhile, Muslims in Nigeria await the proclamation of the sighting of the Ramadan moon or otherwise by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The Sultan earlier urged Muslims across Nigeria to begin searching for the new moon of Ramadan on Friday, February 28, 2025.
The Sultan made the call in a statement signed by NSCIA Secretary-General Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Thursday.
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1446 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, 28th February 2025 which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1446 AH.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Saturday, 1st March 2025 as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Sunday, 2nd March 2025, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1446 AH,” Sultan Abubakar said.
Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which consists of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days.
Over a billion Muslims usually will during the month to practice patience and self-control while also promoting charity and welfare.
The Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is considered mandatory for all healthy Muslims. However, young children, sick individuals, travelers, and women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating are exempt.