An Islamic scholar based in Sokoto, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, has conducted Eid al-Fitr prayers with his followers despite the official declaration that the celebration should hold a day later.
People’s Pen24 reports that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, had earlier announced that the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan was not sighted across Nigeria, fixing Friday as the day for Eid.
However, Lukuwa proceeded with the prayer on Thursday morning at his mosque in Mabera, where he led the congregation shortly after 9 a.m.
Before the prayer, the cleric had addressed his followers, explaining that his decision was informed by reports of moon sighting from the neighbouring Niger Republic.
In a message that circulated widely online, he maintained that confirmations from trusted sources in the country could not be ignored, especially given its proximity to Sokoto.
He argued that geographical closeness should be considered in such matters, noting that if sightings from distant parts of Nigeria are acceptable, then those from nearby regions across the border deserve equal recognition.
While acknowledging the authority of the Sultan, Lukuwa stressed that his action was guided by religious conviction rather than defiance.
He said his group traditionally aligns with official announcements on the commencement and conclusion of Ramadan, but would act differently if there was clear evidence of moon sighting.
The cleric also referred to past practices in Nigeria, recalling that Islamic scholars such as the late Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi once played key roles in moon sighting announcements before the responsibility became centralized under the Sultan to promote unity.
Despite this, he insisted that the current declaration did not reflect what he believed to be accurate, and therefore, his followers would observe Eid accordingly.
Sources within the community indicated that Lukuwa had informed his followers about the development late Wednesday night, urging them to prepare for the Eid prayer the next morning.
The development highlights a recurring pattern, as the cleric has, on previous occasions, differed with the Sultanate’s position on the timing of Islamic festivities.
This is not the first time the cleric and his followers have disregarded the Sultan’s official position on the timing of Eid celebrations, he did the same in 2024.