- Sultan prayed Allah to help all Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties
- Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, identified as one of the four sacred months of the year
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed Muslims to look out for the new moon of Muharram from Monday.
The Sultan, who is also the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), gave the directive in a statement issued by the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs Sultanate Council, Sokoto on Sunday
The statement said, “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Monday July 17, which is equivalent to 29th day of Dhul-Qadah 1444 AH (Islamic Calender) shall be the day to look for the new moon of Muharram 1445 AH.
“Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Muharram 1445 AH on Monday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan.”
The Sultan prayed Allah to help all Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and identified as one of the four sacred months of the year.
In another development, the new Sarkin Malamai (a traditional title of leader of Islamic scholars) of Gombe Emirate, Hon. Ahmad Abubakar Walama, has pledged to promote interfaith harmony among adherents of different religions residing in the kingdom.
He made the pledge yesterday at a ceremony to celebrate the conferment of the title on him at his family house in Tudun Wada with the attendance of the representative of the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, traditional title holders and Islamic clerics.
Walama, a former chairman of Dukku local government area and commissioner for local government affairs, said the role of his title is to represent Islamic scholars in the kingdom.
He said he would use the position to promote unity, peace and harmony among all religious faithful resident in Gombe Emirate.
“I am grateful to the Emir of Gombe, Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, for choosing me out of the many members of this royal home. I have brothers and many family members, but I am lucky to be appointed to hold the title. I will be serving as a mediator between the emirate and clerics.
“I will use the position to foster unity among the clerics and also promote harmony and peace among all religious faithful including Muslims and Christians We have to live in peace so our society will develop. This will be my priority as I take this position,” he said.
Earlier, the emir’s representative, the Shamaki of Gombe, Alhaji Usman Mohammad, said the title was conferred on the former commissioner based on merit.
He, therefore, urged him to respect the norms, culture and values of the traditional institution as he holds the title and charged Islamic scholars to support him.