Sokoto Cleric Leads Eid Prayers Defying Sultan's Date

On Thursday, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, a Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, led Eid el-Fitr prayers, disregarding the official date set by Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar, who had declared Friday as the day for the celebration. The Sultan's council announced that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted anywhere in Nigeria.

However, Lukuwa proceeded with the prayers at the Mabera mosque, addressing his followers and justifying his actions by referencing reports of moon sightings from the neighboring Niger Republic, which is approximately 100 kilometers away. He argued that the reports from Niger were credible and that cities in Nigeria, such as Kano and Lagos, had accepted these sightings.

Lukuwa emphasized that his decision was not an act of defiance against the Sultan's authority but rather a commitment to religious teachings. He noted the historical role of Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi in independently announcing moon sightings, which contrasts with the Sultan's centralized approach aimed at promoting unity among Muslims.