Sheikh Musa Lukwa, an Islamic preacher who led his followers to observe Eid Prayers on Sunday, has explained the reason for doing so.
Recall that the leader of Nigerian Muslims and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar II, declared Eid-el-Fitri for Monday.
“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in Conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee did not receive any report from various Moon Sighting committees across the country.
“This, confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1443AH, on Saturday April 30, 2022, which was 29th day of Ramadan 1443AH.
“Therefore, Sunday May 1, 2022, is the 30th day of the month of Ramadan 1443AH.
“The Sultan has accepted the report and accordingly declared Monday, May 2, 2022, as the first day of Shawwal 1443AH, Day of Eid-el-Fitr,” read a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
However, Sheikh Lukwa told Daily Trust that the Sultan’s position on the sighting of the new moon was not correct.
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“A lecturer at the Usman Danfodiyo University, Dr. Maigari, also confirmed the sighting of the new moon at the main campus of the university and there were reports on the new moon from about 10 communities in Jega, Kebbi state, which was confirmed by the Chief Imam of Jega, Malam Bashar.
“And Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi also confirmed the sighting of the new moon in many places in the country.
“So, we observed our Eid in compliance with the instruction of the Holy Prophet who asked us to fast and to break the fast at the sighting of the new moon. It is agreed that, obedience to our leaders, especially, the Sultan, is compulsory for every Muslim but on condition that he did not disobey Allah and His Prophet (SAW).
“You can’t take decision based on scientific evidence by astronauts because is against our religion and even Imam Malik discouraged this,” the cleric said.
He added that the observations were not reported to the Committee on Moon Sighting because previous ones reported were ignored.
“In 2011, a similar incident happened. The new moon was sighted in many places and were duly reported to the committee and when they presented their report to the Sultan, he kicked against it. This was the reason why the chairman of the committee, Professor A A Gwandu, resigned at the time.
“And there was a time, the moon was sighted at Mabera area and it was communicated to the village head of Mabera who in turned forwarded the report to the District Head of Gagi and the District head called the Secretary of the Palace severally without response.
“He then wrote to the Sultan but the Sultan replied that, the new moon would only be sighted the next day. I saw the reply. We can’t obey someone who is disobeying Allah and His Prophet (SAW),” Sheikh Lukwa said.