The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced Wednesday to now be the first of Shawwal and Eid day, marking the completion of the 2024 Ramadan fast.
The reason for this change is is due to the fact that the new crescent moon was not sighted in the Kingdom on Monday, April 8.
The implication is that the Ramadan fast would be 30th and the first of Shawwal would be on Wednesday.
Haramain News, the Kingdom’s foremost news medium, had in a statement it posted on its X handle, on Monday’s eve said:
“The crescent moon was NOT sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th April 2024.”
Prior to this, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had urged Muslims across the country to look for the new moon of Shawwal on Monday.
The Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, had on Sunday released a statement tagged ‘Idul Fitr goodwill message and Felicitations’.
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1445 A.H. immediately after sunset on Monday, 29th Ramadan 1445 A.H. which is equivalent to 8th April 2024.
“It must be noted that, according to scientific calculations, the expected time for the Shawwal moon conjunction in Nigeria is Monday 8th April 2024 at 07:21 p.m. (GMT +1). That notwithstanding, as Islamic tradition stipulates, Muslims are enjoined to search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th of Ramadan.
Oloyede had added that if Muslims saw the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Tuesday, 9th April 2024 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr.
But, if the crescent is not seen that day, then Wednesday, 10th April 2024, will automatically become the day of “Idul Fitr”.
