A Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, led his followers in Eid al-Fitr prayers on Thursday, a day ahead of the official declaration by Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who had announced Friday as the start of Shawwal.
Lukuwa conducted the two-unit Eid prayer at his Mabera mosque around 9:10 a.m., citing confirmed moon sightings in neighbouring Niger Republic as justification for celebrating a day earlier. “Niger Republic is very close to us — about 100 kilometres away. If we accept reports from cities like Kano or Lagos, which are farther, there is no reason to reject confirmed sightings from a neighbouring country,” he said.
The cleric stressed that his actions were guided by religious conviction and were not intended to undermine the Sultan’s authority. He recalled historical precedents when prominent scholars independently announced moon sightings before the responsibility was centralised under the Sultan to ensure unity among Muslims.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, who is also President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, is the recognised authority for determining Ramadan and Eid dates based on verified moon sightings. His announcements are widely followed to maintain cohesion among the Muslim community.
Lukuwa’s move reflects ongoing debates within Islamic jurisprudence over the acceptance of moon sightings from neighbouring countries, a practice occasionally leading to divergent observances in northern Nigeria.
While Nigeria’s official Eid is set for Friday, March 20, many countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Turkey, also celebrate on Friday. Others, such as Afghanistan, Niger, and Mali, observed Eid on Thursday, March 19, following early moon confirmations.
