Moon not sighted, Muslims continue fast, Eid-Fitr prayer holds Thursday

Muslims are to complete the Ramadan fast on Wednesday and observe Eid-Fitr prayer, signifying the end of the one-month fast, on Thursday.
The directive came from the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, the spiritual head of the Muslims in Nigeria, saying the committee in charge of sighting the new moon after 29 days of fasting did not sight it on Tuesday.
Also, the committee responsible for sighting the moon in Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that the Shawwal moon was yet to be sighted.
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared that the new crescent of Shawwal which signifies the end of Ramadan was not sighted anywhere in the country on Tuesday.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday night by the Deputy Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Salisu Shehu.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) – under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni – wishes to inform the Nigerian Muslim Ummah that there was no proven report of the sighting of the crescent of Shawwal, 1442 AH on the 29th of Ramadan, 1442 AH.
“Ramadan fast will therefore continue tomorrow Wednesday, 12th May 2021 as the 30th day of Ramadan.
“Consequently, Thursday 13th May, 2021 is hereby declared as 1st of Shawwal, 1442 AH and the day of Eid-il-fitr.
“The Council prays that Almighty Allah accept our fasting and other virtuous acts in Ramadan and grant us all peaceful and blissful Eid celebrations.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria had since declare Wednesday and Thursday as public holiday to celebrate the holy festival.