Sokoto cleric defies Sultan’s directive, leads Eid-il-fitr prayers

A Sokoto Muslim cleric, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, on Tuesday, led his followers to observe Eid prayer, as against the directive from the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who had on Monday, declared Wednesday, as the day of Eid-el-Fitr.

The Sultan who presides as the President-General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) had based his decision on a report of National Moon Sighting Committees across the country, which confirmed the non-sighting of the new moon.

Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Junaidu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Monday evening, said the council accepted the report and declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH. Vanguard