Sa’ad Abubakar III, sultan of Sokoto and spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, has announced September 12 as the Eid-el-Kabir day.
In a statement released on Saturday by Sambo Junaidu, chairman, advisory committee on religious affairs, Sultanate council of Sokoto, the monarch said his committee in conjunction with the national moon sighting body had received various reports of a new Moon seen across the country.
“The reports confirmed the sighting of the New Moon of Zulhijja,1437 AH, on Friday, September 2, 2016, which was the 29th day of Zulka’ada, 1437 AH,” the statement read.
“The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, September 3, as the first day of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.
“Therefore, Monday, September 12, which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, and will be marked as this year’s Eid el-Kabir.”
Junaidu said the Sultan wished the Nigerian Muslim Ummah Allah’s (SWT) guidance and blessings and also urged them to continue to pray for the peace, progress and development of the country.