News
2024 Eid-El-Fitr: FG Makes U-Turn, Declares Thursday Additional Public Holiday
The Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Aishetu Ndayako, has officially declared Thursday, April 11, 2024, an extra Eid-el-Fitr public holiday on behalf of the Federal Government.
Nation Post reports that this significant decision was communicated through a statement released on Tuesday.
The announcement, disseminated via the ministry’s official communication channel, emphasizes the significance of acknowledging Eid-El-Fitr and allowing citizens the chance to honour this religious occasion.
The statement said, “The Federal Government has approved Thursday, April 11, 2024, as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr.
“The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for the successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation, reiterates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.”
Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that the crescent of Shawwal has not been sighted, signifying that fasting will continue on Tuesday.
The country declared that Eid-El-Fitr will be observed on Wednesday, April 10, to mark the start of the new Islamic month.
It could be recalled that the Federal Government had initially declared Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10, 2024, as public holidays for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
However, His Eminence Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) confirmed on Monday that Wednesday, the 10th of April 2024, will be the first day of Shawwal 1445AH (Eid el Fitr Day) as the moon was not sighted in Nigeria.
Sultan issued the statement soon after meeting with the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee in Religious Affairs along with the National Moon Sighting Committee.
According to the committee’s report, they have not received any confirmation from the different moon sighting committees throughout the country regarding the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH on Monday, 8th April 2024, which was the 30th day of Ramadan 1445AH.
Eid el Fitr, also known as the holiday of breaking the fast, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a way to mark the conclusion of the month-long fasting during Ramadan.
