Reason we celebrate Eid el-Fitri on Monday – Egba Muslim leader

The Wakeelu Muslimeen of the South-West, Edo, and Delta states, Sheikh Iskil Awwal, has explained why the congregational prayer was not observed on Sunday at the Lantoro Eid praying ground in Abeokuta.

Sheikh Awwal, who is also a leader of the Egba Muslim community, stated that Ramadan is supposed to last 30 days and not 29.

Recall that the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, announced the sighting of the moon on Saturday, signifying the end of Ramadan and the commencement of Eid-el-Fitr on Sunday.

The Sultan's directive was preceded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s announcement of the sighting of the moon’s crescent, marking the beginning of Shawwal and the end of Ramadan.

However, DAILY POST reports that some Muslim faithful were left stranded, and the Lantoro Eid praying ground was deserted as the Egba Muslim leaders, led by the Chief Imam, ignored the Sultan's directive to observe Sallah on Sunday.

Speaking about the controversy surrounding the end of the fast, Sheikh Awwal, popularly called Sheikh Sugar, stated that the dates, though not in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s declaration, should still be considered valid.

He spoke on Monday while fielding questions from journalists after the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer held at the Lantoro praying ground.

He said, “As for the matter of the discovery of the new moon, it differs across different parts of the world. It could be seen in Nigeria but not in Saudi Arabia, and vice versa.

“As for the new moon of this very 2025, Ramadan lasted 30 days because the new moon was discovered the previous day. As such, some Muslim faithful observed Eid on the same day, while the rest who did not, observed it today.”;

He pointed out that both the Egba Muslim community and those who followed the Sultan’s and Saudi Arabia’s directives had adhered to their respective Islamic leaders and had not sinned against the religion.

“The issue of the new month is something God, in His mysterious ways, has not allowed any man on earth to have absolute power over.

“Therefore, whether one ended their fast yesterday or today, they have both adhered to the guidance of their Islamic leaders. God will accept their prayers as an act of ibadah.

“It is whatever our leaders in Islam say that we must adhere to. They are knowledgeable in the religion. The start and end of the fast are based on knowledge, so we must adhere strictly to their teachings,” he said.