Sultan Declares Today Beginning of Ramadan
Buhari charges Muslims to promote love, peace
Jaiyeola Andrews Mohammed Aminu The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday declared today as the first day of Ramadan.
The decalaration came just as President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to pray for the return of peace, love and prosperity throughout the country as Muslims start the 2015 Ramadan fast.
The sultan n a broadcast made at his palace in Sokoto last night, said reliable reports of moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across the country, which were duly verified and authenticated by the National Moon Sighting Committee.
“In accordance with Islamic law and our pursuit of the obligatory fasting as the third pillar of Islam, I have the greatest pleasure to announce that today Wednesday the 29th of Sha’aban 1436 after Hijra of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, which is equivalent to June 17, 2015, has marked the end of Sha’aban and the beginning of the new month of Ramadan, which has just been sighted in many states of the federation,” he said.
The sultan implored the Muslim Ummah to devote themselves to worship throughout the holy month of the Ramadan.
He also urged them to pray fervently for the blessings of Allah and offer continuous prayers for the new leadership in Nigeria to succeed in steering the affairs of the country as well as sustenance of peace and stability.
The monarch therefore, urged all Muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan to re-dedicate themselves to the teachings of Islam and continue to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious and tribal differences.
Meanwhile, Buhari in a congratulatory message released on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, implored Muslims to seek maximum benefits from the Ramadan period “by being helpful to all manner of people, learning and following the true message of the religion as taught by the Holy Prophet.”
The president in his message, directed an appeal to the perpetrators of violence and destruction in the name of Islam all over the world to desist from tarnishing the name of the religion.
“As we make collective efforts to bring to a permanent end the menace of the Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin countries, let me use this auspicious occasion to appeal to our misguided brothers to drop their arms, embrace peace and seek a better understanding of Islam during this Holy period and beyond,” Buhari said.
The president prayed to Allah to bring peace and harmony to all parts of the country and the world at large.
“I wish all our citizens a blessed Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem Mubarak,” the statement concluded