Islamic leaders in Nigeria are currently locked in in disagreement over when the 2015 Sallah day should fall on after The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs [NSCIA], overruled the Jamaátu Nasril Islam, the umbrella body for Islamic organisations in Nigeria, on the declaration of Wednesday, September 23 as Eid-el-Kabir day in Nigeria.
The JNI had in a statement on Sunday by its Secretary General, Khalid Aliyu, said the month of Dhul Hajj begins today (Monday), meaning Eid-el-Kabir would be observed on Wednesday, September 23.
The JNI, like the NSCIA, is under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Saád Abubakar.
According to the Secretary General of the NSCIA, Ishaq Oloyede, he said the announcement by the JNI was done in error.
“The NSCIA would issue a statement on the new month of Dhul hajj later today,”he said.
He also said the Moon-Sighting committee of the NSCIA already agreed with the decision of authorities in Saudi Arabia that the month of Dhul Hajj begins tomorrow (Tuesday).
“Consequently, Eid-El-Kabir would be observed on Thursday September 24, while Wednesday is Arafat day,” he said.
Sunday’s statement by the JNI quoted the Sultan as ‘felicitating’ with Nigerian Muslims “over the successful commencement of Dhul-Hajj today Monday 14th September, 2015. This is indeed gratifying as Wednesday 23rd September 2015 will mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, In-Shaa-Allah”.
This is not the first time Islamic leaders in Nigeria are locked in controversy over moon-sighting or Eid day declaration.
There was similar confusion last year over whether the new moon of Shawwal signifying the end of Ramadan fast was sighted in Nigeria.
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