Nigeria’s Muslim faithful commenced their fast on Saturday, following the sighting of the moon in various parts of the country on  Friday, as announced by the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Junaidu Sambo, stated this after the sighting of the moon in the northern states and other parts of Nigeria.

According to the northern based Leadership Newspapers the Sultan said: ”The moon was sighted in Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and other parts of the country and therefore, the Sultanate Council is hereby calling on all Muslim faithful in Nigeria to commence fasting on Saturday as the first day of Ramadan,”

Meanwhile, an Ilorin cleric and Imam, Alhaji Abdul-Hammed Abdullahi, has urged Nigerian Muslims to intensify their charity giving, spiritual purification and prayers for the country during Ramadan.

Abdullahi made the call while speaking with journalists on Friday in Ilorin on preparation for the 2014 Ramadan fast, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

He explained that the holy Muslim month is a time for human beings to come together to renew their good deeds.

The imam advised Nigerians to engage in more spiritual activities, ask for forgiveness of sins and strive to attain righteousness and piety.

Abdullahi said fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

He noted that it is compulsory for all genuine Muslims to fast except for those exempted by the holy Quran.

The imam advised Muslims to wait for the sighting of the moon by leaders with proven integrity before commencing the fast.

He warned that Muslims who commences fasting before the announcement of sighting of the moon would be doing so against Allah’s injunction.

Abdullahi implored husbands to always appreciate the efforts of their spouses during the period.

According to him, Islamic injunction does not make it compulsory for women to do certain house chores during the Ramadan aside from the upbringing of their children.

Abdullahi called on all Nigerians to make concerted efforts to solve the insecurity challenges bedeviling the country.

Ramadan, also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan, is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims around the world focus on prayer, fasting, giving to charity, and devotion.

The observance of Ramadan commences on June 29, in Saudi Arabia.

/NAN