By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah at Eid-el-Fitr and prayed that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah.
Tinubu noted that Eid-el-Fitr is an auspicious occasion that signifies the end of Ramadan; a hallowed season that reflects total submission to God Almighty and His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said, “The President greets the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the world, praying that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah.
“As he emphasised during an iftar with Nigeria’s leaders of thought and conscience, President Tinubu appeals to all citizens to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation.”
He added, “We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire. The President prays that the lessons, blessings, and joys of this season abide with us always while wishing Nigerians, Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.”
*Islamic cleric defies Sultan of Sokoto, conducts Eid prayer prematurely
A Sokoto-based Islamic cleric, Musa Lukwa, has defied the directives of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, by observing Eid prayers on Tuesday as against Wednesday declared by the Sultanate Council.
Lukwa, who had previously disobeyed the Sultan’s directive on moon sighting, led prayers at his Juma’at mosque in the Mabera area of the Sokoto metropolis around 8:30 a.m.
The Sultan, who is the President General of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, declared Wednesday as Sallah day following the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country, which confirmed the non-sighting of the new moon.
A statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Sambo Junaidu, said, “The council accepted the report and accordingly declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH”.
But Lukwa defied the directives, saying he chose to follow directives from the neighbouring Niger Republic where the Islamic authorities said they had sighted the moon and observed the Eid prayer yesterday.
Daily Trust reported Lukwa saying that he chose to follow the report of the moon sighting committee of Niger Republic.
“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.
“We have a verified video clip of their (Niger Republic) 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 say.
“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 neighbours. And remember there is no fasting on Sallah day, it is prohibited,” he was quoted to have said.
This cleric had divided opinions in the past after he and his followers slaughtered and ate a horse in Sokoto, arguing that it was halal. The position contradicts that held by the Malik Islamic School of thought being practised in Nigeria and the Sokoto caliphate.
The cleric then challenged any scholar with a contrary view to a public debate.
Lukwa has been having a running battle with the authorities in Sokoto over the reported seizure of his land by former Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s administration, in the Lukwa community, in Gwadabawa Local Government Area.
