Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Sultan confirms moon sighting, fixes Friday 21 for Eid-el-Fitr

In his announcement, Sultan Abubakar asked the Nigerian Muslim community to observe Eid l-fitr celebration on Friday, 21st of April, to mark the end of Ramadan, 1444 (2023).

• April 20, 2023
Sultan of Sokoto
Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III

Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced an end to this year’s Ramadan.

This follows the sighting of the Shawwal crescent in Tumair, Saudi Arabia by the committee of astronomers and court officials.

Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic calendar has always either been 29 or 30 days depending on when the new moon is sighted as the calendar is based on the lunar circle. The month of Shawwal has been confirmed to start on Friday.

In his announcement, Sultan Abubakar asked the Nigerian Muslim community to observe Eid l-fitr celebration on Friday,  21st of April,  to mark the end of Ramadan, 1444 (2023).

The new moon was sighted in some parts of the country by Sultan’s moon sighting committee.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Central Bank of Nigeria Logo

Economy

Banks’ assets hit N180.37 trillion: Report

The report said deposit money banks in Nigeria contributed 41.8 per cent to the country’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP).

Troops

States

Troops kill terrorist commander, foil attacks in Zamfara, Katsina

Troops killed a notorious terrorist commander and foiled attacks in two states.

Anastasiia Berezovska

World

Woman suspected in Monaco bomb attack found dead near Kyiv

Ukrainian prosecutors said her body was found near Kyiv, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Cyril Ramaphosa (Credit: Daily Maverick)

Africa

Xenophobic Attacks: Ghana govt defers Ramaphosa’s planned state visit

”We sent them a communication indicating that it would be best to defer the visit in view of the present climate around xenophobia,” Mr Ofosu said.

ICPC

Abuja

ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged abuse of court approved medical visit

Mr Odey said the doctor was arrested because he allegedly made false statements regarding a court-approved medical visit.

World

UNHRC adopts first-ever resolution linking human rights, neglected diseases

The landmark move is expected to strengthen global efforts to eliminate the diseases and improve the lives of more than one billion affected people.