The Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, yesterday urged Muslims nationwide to "commence fasting when you sight the (Ramadan) crescent."

Oloyede, who gave the order in a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara State, said "in accordance with the prophetic tradition, Muslims all over Nigeria are hereby urged to look for the new crescent of Ramadan today, July 8, 2013 CE (which corresponds to 29th day of Sha‘ban, 1434 AH).

"To this effect, members of the National Moon Sighting Committee have been deployed with appropriate gadgets to various parts of the country for easy sighting of the moon.

"However, other individuals who are able to sight the crescent are requested to contact, through appropriate authorities, any of the following: The President-General of NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto, Tel: 08036470422, Deputy President-General (North) of the NSCIA and the Shehu of Borno 08037855555, 08023549558, Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, 08027780076, Emir of Gwandu and all other Emirs, Tel. 08036154369, Lamido of Adamawa Tel. 0756344449, Etsu Nupe, Tel. 08039668707, Otaru of Auchi, Deputy Secretary-General (South) of NSCIA (Sheikh Adam Idoko)

Others are the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Chief Imam of Osogbo, Tel. 08035740333, Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Hafiz Abou, Tel. 08033085292 and Chairman, National Moon Sighting Committee, Dr. Hafis Wali, Tel: 08036009090, 08034540120, 08023037478.

The statement noted that "where the authorities are satisfied that the crescent has been duly sighted, President-General and Sultan of Sokoto would announce the commencement of the fast. However, if the crescent is not sighted on Monday, the Tarawih prayer should be observed on Tuesday, the 9th of July for the commencement of Ramadan on the 10th of July whether or not it is sighted on that Tuesday".