By Oyibo Salihu
Lokoja
As Muslims all over the world get set to observe this year’s Ramadan fasting, the Jama’Atu Nasirl Islam (JNI) has charged faithful in Kogi state to begin moon-sighting to enable them kick-start the fast.
It stated that the announcement of moon-sighting, if detected, would be made by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
JNI Chairman, Kogi state chapter, Ambassador Usman Bello, who gave the charge yesterday in Lokoja at a press briefing on the Ramadan Fasting, said Friday (today) the sighting of the moon should be communicated to the Sultan who is also the President General of JNI for eventual announcement.
He appealed to all Islamic organisations, the Ulamah, the Mufassirun and the entire Muslim Ummah to follow the guidelines of Tafseer as laid down by the national headquarters of JNI.
He said: “During Tafseer/Preaching, the Ulama should not engage in controversial issues that are capable of dividing the Ummah and diverting attention from the major problems affecting the Ummah.
“The Ulama should, during Tafseer/Preaching, proffer solutions to problems that have become endemic in the society, especially corruption and injustice at all level, political thuggery, adultery, cultism, witchcraft, ritual killings, the breakdown of Muslim family values, gambling and intoxication, dishonestly, insecurity and all other social vices and moral decadence bedevilling the society.”
Bello called on Nigerians to “use this period to pray Allah to continue to guide, protect and support our leaders at all levels for peace, unit and development.”
