By Hassan Hussain | March 19, 2026
A Sokoto-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, has defied a national directive from Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, observing Eid al-Fitr prayers on Thursday, a day earlier than the officially declared date.
Lukuwa, who leads the Mabera mosque, justified his decision citing confirmed moon sightings in neighbouring Niger Republic, saying it would be unreasonable to ignore reports from a nearby country while accepting those from farther locations like Kano or Lagos.
The Sultan had announced that the Shawwal crescent had not been sighted in Nigeria, declaring Friday as the official Sallah day. However, Lukuwa argued that his action was guided by religious conviction and not intended to undermine the Sultan’s authority, referencing historical practices of prominent scholars like Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi.
Sheikh Musa Lukuwa leading Eid prayers at Mabera mosque, Sokoto. Photo Credit: Animasahun Salman.
This is not the first time Lukuwa and his followers have observed Eid on a different day, reflecting an ongoing debate over cross-border acceptance of moon sightings.
The Sultan’s pronouncements are widely observed to maintain unity among Nigerian Muslims, but some clerics and communities occasionally diverge on moon sighting reports.
In Islamic tradition, moon sighting is crucial for determining important dates like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The sighting of the new moon marks the beginning of a new lunar month, and Muslims rely on visual confirmation or astronomical calculations to determine the start of Ramadan and other significant events.
The debate over moon sighting often centers on whether to accept local sightings or rely on global or regional announcements. Some Islamic scholars argue that a confirmed sighting in one location should be applicable to others, while others emphasize local sightings for accuracy.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto’s declaration is widely respected, but disagreements arise when some clerics or communities follow different interpretations or sightings from other countries.
This reflects broader discussions within the global Muslim community about unity and the authority of local Islamic leaders.
