Oyo State Muslims Defy Sultan’s Directive, Observe Eid-El-Fitri Prayer On Wednesday

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Oyo State Muslims Defy Sultan’s Directive, Observe Eid-El-Fitri Prayer On Wednesday

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakr Agbotomokekere were among prominent personalities who observed the Eld-Fitri prayer in the town on Wednesday.

Our correspondent gathered that the Eid-el-Fitri prayer which was held at Ibadan Eid prayer ground was observed despite a directive issued by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakr.

Our correspondent recalls that the Sultan who doubles as the Amir Musulumi in Nigeria and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) had earlier directed that the Eid-el-Fitri prayer be held on Thursday because the crescent of the new month was not sighted on Tuesday.

Sources gathered that the two Rakat compulsory Eid-el-Fitri prayers is usually observed by Muslims as a sign to end the Ramadan fast.

Our correspondent learned that despite the directive, Olaniyan, Adetunji and Agbotomokeke and other Muslims in Ibadan observed the Eld-Fitri prayer at Ibadan Central Eid prayer ground in the Agodi area.

Other personalities who attended the Eid prayer included a former Governor of the State, Chief Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Olawale Abdul-Mojeed Mogbonjubola and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Sustainable Development Goals Mr. Kunle Yusuf.

Agbotomokekere had earlier announced on his Facebook Page on Tuesday morning that Ramadan had ended on Tuesday and that he was going to lead the Eid prayer Wednesday morning.

Waploaded  gathered from a close source to the Chief Imam that he and some other Muslims started their fast a day earlier than the day which was announced by the Sultan.

He added that based on the counting by the Chief Imam, Ramadan would be thirty (30) on Tuesday.

He said the need to end the fast on Tuesday and observe the Eld-Fitri on Wednesday became necessary because they had completed their 30 day fast on Tuesday.

“You see. I think there is a communication gap. I spoke to the Imam and the explanation is that they started their own fast on Monday, but, majority started on Tuesday.

“So, by their calculation, Ramadan will be 30 on Tuesday. And they had to stop when it was 30. That is why they have to hold the prayer.”

Spokesman of the Chief Imam, Ustadh Idris Agbotomokekere, said the decision of the Chief Imam Imam of Ibadanland to observe Eid was consequent upon his position as the leader of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ibadanland.

“It is not compulsory that we all see it but once somebody sees it and tells us, it is sufficient for us. The moon was sighted in Kaduna yesterday around 8pm and what we know is that once the moon has been sighted, we have the right to break our fast”.