THE Federal Government has approved Thursday, April 11, as an additional holiday for Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The Ministry of Interior disclosed this in a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Aishetu Ndayako, on Tuesday, April 9.
Part of the statement reads, “The Federal Government has approved Thursday, 11th April 2024, as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr.
“The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation, reiterates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (GCFR) firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.”
Earlier, the ministry had declared Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10, as public holidays to mark the celebrations.
However, the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirmed that the crescent of Shawwal, which would signify the end of Ramadan, had not been sighted.
Therefore, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, disclosed in a statement that Eid-el-Fitr would be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, and fasting would continue on Tuesday, April 9.
“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress, and development of the country, also wishes all Muslims a happy Eid-El-Fitri,” the statement said.
Before the Sultan’s statement, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the UAE, and Qatar had said the moon had not been sighted, stating that the fasting would continue on Tuesday as the final day of Ramadan.
The Eid-el-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, after the new moon has been sighted.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.