On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a Muslim cleric in Sokoto, led his followers in observing Eid prayer, despite the earlier declaration by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday, stating that Wednesday would be the day of Eid-el-Fitr.
The Sultan’s decision was based on the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across Nigeria, which confirmed the non-sighting of the new moon.
A statement from the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Junaidu, affirmed that Wednesday, April 10, 2024, would be the first day of Shawwal 1445AH.
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However, Sheikh Musa Lukwa conducted prayers at his Juma’at mosque on Tuesday at 8:30 am, in defiance of the Sultan’s directive.
Lukwa justified his actions by claiming that the new crescent moon of Shawwal had been sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday.
He referenced a video clip of the council of Ulamah authenticating the sighting, leading Niger to declare Tuesday as Sallah day.
Lukwa argued that adhering to the sighting in Niger Republic was in line with the teachings of the Holy Prophet, challenging the Sultan’s reliance on the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia.
He emphasized the absence of fasting on Eid day, stating it was prohibited.
This defiance by Lukwa against the Sultan’s directives is not new, as he has accused the Sultan of imposing the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia on Nigerian Muslims, contrary to the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Lukwa openly invited any scholar with a differing opinion to engage in a public debate.
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