. As Makinde calls for more prayers, good neighbourliness
The holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic lunar calendar 1445 has begun Monday, (today) March 11, 2024, with the sighting of the Crescent Moon in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Muslim faithful around the world were placed on alert to report the sighting of the moon in readiness for the sacred month considered for piety and sacrifice in the Islamic world.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saa’d Abubakar III, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) had also charged faithful to be on the lookout for the moon.
The sighting of the moon on Sunday signals the kickoff of the Ramadhān period from midnight with taraweeh prayers after Isha’i prayer.
Saudi Arabia announced the start of the holy month of Ramadan from Monday, March 11, following the sighting of the crescent by the moon-sighting committee.
According to the Saudi Supreme Court, the crescent was spotted on Sunday (March 10) evening, which also marks the last day of the Islamic month of Sha’ban.
The Islamic months typically span either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the Moon. With the Moon sighted this Sunday evening, the preceding month in the Hijri calendar, Sha’ban, concluded at 29 days. Consequently, Ramadan 1 falls on March 11, marking the beginning of Ramadhān 1445 fasting.
Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar that takes place for 720 hours, i.e. four weeks and two days during which the followers of Islam fast between dawn and sunset, pray for peace and guidance, give back to the community in the form of charity or zakaat or engage in humanitarian activities such as feeding the underprivileged and introspect to enlighten their souls.
However, the fasting date changes yearly because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Hence, its starting and end dates depend on the sighting of the crescent moon.
.As Makinde calls for more prayers, good neighbourliness
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the state and across the world on the commencement of the month of Ramadan 1445.
The governor, who described the holy month as a blessed month in which Allah rewards the worship of the Muslim Ummah, charged Muslims to increase their prayers for the country and the state.
Makinde called for increased prayers for the country amid the economic hardship facing the people, noting that though leaders have been doing everything to turn the situation around, prayers are of greater essence at this time.
He equally charged Muslims around the world to demonstrate the lessons of love, kindness and good neighbourliness as taught by Prophet Mohammed, admonishing those who have enough to remember their neighbours, as more people are going through hard times.
According to the governor, his administration had been doing everything possible to mitigate the effects of the economic hardship and it will not relent until life becomes better for all residents of the state.
He said: “I felicitate my Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of the commencement of the month of Ramadan 1445.
“This is another opportunity offered to us by Allah (SWT) to serve Him and seek His face and I will encourage all and sundry to make good use of the opportunity as always.
“I charge the Muslim Ummah to, as they have always done, pray for our dear State and Nigeria, as we have all come to realise that prayer remains the greatest key for believers to make things happen.
“We do know that our country is in a bit of economic hardship, but while we continue to look up to the leaders to do the needful, we must also support our hopes with prayers to God.
“I also want to charge my Muslim brothers and sisters, especially those who have in abundance, to remember their neighbours and show kindness.
“It is my prayer that Allah SWT will reward your acts of worship and accept it as Ibadah”, according to a statement bySulaimon Olanrewaju Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor
