Nothing awful to celebrate Eid on different days – Cleric 

The National Missioner of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik AbdurRahman Ahmad, says there is nothing awful or distasteful when entities celebrate Eid on different days, because Islam operates lunar calendar.  He, however, described as needless the moonsighting controversy which greeted the last Eid-el-Fitr celebration in Nigeria. Ahmad pointed out that the controversy reflects Nigeria’s […]

The National Missioner of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik AbdurRahman Ahmad, says there is nothing awful or distasteful when entities celebrate Eid on different days, because Islam operates lunar calendar. 

He, however, described as needless the moonsighting controversy which greeted the last Eid-el-Fitr celebration in Nigeria.

Ahmad pointed out that the controversy reflects Nigeria’s political situation.

He spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, while responding to questions from newsmen at a media press organized to herald the forthcoming 11th Triennial National Conference and 101 anniversary of the Muslim society, tagged Gateway 2025.

Ahmad opined that, “It is not anything distasteful or disgraceful or awful that you have entities celebrating Eid on different days. This could happen naturally and ordinarily without any problems about that because in Islam we operate lunar and not solar calendar.

“Even in solar calendar, it will be day in some part of the world but night in other part. The other part to this is that if the differences is devoid of rebellion, ambition, rebellion, ignorance is healthy. The only problem is if there are other reasons driving the differences.

“If it is based on leadership tussle or ethnicity. Like the saying that the North can not be dictating the pace, we are also Muslims, they are not better Muslims, this is totally wrong and unIslamic. I am a foundation member of the moonsighting committee and we have these committees across the 6 geopolitical zones.

“No part of Muslims world is obliged to follow the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia. The highest jurisdiction body in Saudi Arabia, the league of the most senior scholars of Saudi Arabia has made it clear that sighting of Saudi Arabia is for Saudi Arabia.

“It is not even applicable to Kuwait, Dubai, Egypt or Yemen. Each of these countries have their moon sighting arrangement and this is well in line with the Islamic law.

“Our situation in Nigeria is however reflective of our political situation. Secondly, there is also wide spread ignorance about the principles of Islam, thirdly, the current situation is needless struggle for power and supremacy which is not acceptable to Islam.”

Ahmed explained that the National Moonsighting Committee chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also have members from across the six geo-political zones of the country.

He said that these members are always consulted about their independent findings on moon sighting before the traditional ruler who is the leader of the Nigeria Muslims make any pronouncement on moon sighting.

The National President of the Muslim society, Abdulrafiu Sanni, disclosed that former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, will be delivering the keynote address on the theme “Islam and Muslims: Responsibilities and Relevance in a Pluralistic World,” during the conference billed for April 18.

The President stated that about 1700 participants would be attending the conference from all over the country out of which 843 are delegates while 858 are observers.