Home FAITH 17 Countries Declare Sunday Eid-el-Fitr Day

17 Countries Declare Sunday Eid-el-Fitr Day

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No fewer than 17 countries, including Nigeria, have already declared tomorrow, Sunday, as Eid-el-Fitr, bringing to an end, the 29 days Ramadan Fasting.

In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, announced the sighting of the new moon of the month Shawwal in a broadcast in Sokoto today, Saturday. Similar announcement was made by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, Indonesia the United Arab Emirates and 15 other countries.

Turkey and Muslim communities in North America, Europe and Australia had previously announced they would celebrate Eid al-Fitr from Sunday June 25 based on astronomical calculations. Oman, however, has not sighted the moon, and thus declared Monday June 26 as the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

“Bangladesh, Pakistan, India will be sighting the moon on Sunday. These countries started Ramadan on May 28 and so Sunday will be the 29th of Ramadan for them.”

All the countries who have confirmed Sunday as Eid-el-Fitr are Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Iraq (Sunnis), Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Lebanon, Malaysia, UAE, UK, United States and Yemen.

Announcing tomorrow as Eid-el-Fitr, Sultan Abubakar Abubakar said that the new moon was sighted in parts of Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Adamawa and Sokoto States.

See also:  Sultan Announces Sighting Of Ramadan Moon; Muslims Begin 30-Day Fasting Tomorrow

He said: “In accordance with Islamic law, we have the honour and pleasure to announce that today, Saturday, the 29th day of Ramadan,1438 AH, which is equivalent to June 24, 2017 has marked the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the new month of Shawwal.

”Reliable reports of moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and religious organisations across the country, which were duly verified and authenticated by the National Moon Sighting Committee.

”Consequent upon this, tomorrow, Sunday, the 25th day of June, 2017 becomes the first day of shawwal,1438 AH and is therefore declared the Sallah day for 2017 Eid-el-Fitr.”

The Sultan called on the Muslim Ummah to sustain fervent prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, other leaders, as well as for sustainable peace and unity in Nigeria and beyond.

The sultan also appealed to Nigerians to continue to live in peace irrespective of religious, ethnic and cultural differences. [myad]