Don’t hike food products prices unjustly during Ramadan – Sultan warns traders

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA),  Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, has appealed to traders across the country to desist from hoarding food products and hiking the prices of consumer goods unjustly during the period of Ramadan fast.

Sultan stated this on Friday in a statement signed and released by Professor Salisu Shehu, the Deputy Secretary General of the NSCIA on Friday, while felicitating with Muslims on the occasion of the forthcoming 2024 (1445 AH) Ramadan fast.

In the same vein, the NSCIA, under the leadership of Sultan Abubakar III, appealed to the privileged Muslims in the country to extend acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighborhoods before, during and after the month of Ramadan, citing the current economic hardship that the country is undergoing as one of the reasons,

Furthermore, the council charged Muslims at every part of the country to watch out for the 2024 (1445 AH) Ramadan moon on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

While praying that God spares the lives of all, particularly Muslims, to participate dutifully and meaningfully in the forthcoming Ramadan fast, Shehu reminded all that Allah revealed the holy Qur’an to Prophet Muhammed (Peace be unto him) during the month of Ramadan to serve as a guide to mankind.

Citing verses from the Qu’ran to drive home his points, he said,

“So, whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. present at his home), he must observe fasting that month” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185).”

Furthermore, Professor Shehu hinted that the council’s position was based on the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC).

The statement read in part;

“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, 10th March 2024 which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.

“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence (Sultan) would declare Monday, 11th March 2024 as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Tuesday, 12th March 2024, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1445 AH.”.

In conclusion, Shehu said,

“The Council hereby enjoins the Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout for the Ramadan crescent on the night of Sunday 10th of March 2024 and await the official announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the commencement of the 1445 AH Ramadan fast.

“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance.”