A veteran Kannywood actress, Saratu Gidado, has died hours after posing as an astronomer on moonsighting to determine the last day of the Islamic month of Ramadan, PRNigeria reports.
Astronomers are scientists who observe astronomical objects such as stars, planets, moons, comets and galaxies. Reports have shown that Muslim astronomers in this age of technology are now in a position to calculate the dates for possible/impossible moonsighting.
As one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar, the sighting of the moon plays a crucial role in determining the end of fasting in the month of Ramadan and the exact date of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival.
While acting like an astronomer in the video, with a giant, long telescope-like pipe, Saratu said: “Alhamdulillah from my instrument, I could not see the new moon that could determine the end of Ramadan fasting and the commencement of Eid festivity. We should exercise more patience as I can only see other planets in outer space, like Mars, Jupiter, and Neptune ….. I do not see a new moon, probably because of the cloud. Please follow me for more updates. Enjoy your fasting.”
A family member who spoke to PRNigeria said that Saratu ate Sahur (the mandatory early morning food which signals the beginning of fasting for the day) hours after she posted the video on moonsighting on her TikTok platform and did some prayers.
“She was hale and hearty after the video she posted to educate Muslims on the need for patience in following moonsighting updates from the relevant authorities. She also observed her night prayers, took her Sahur and prayed again before she went to bed and died peacefully in her sleep,” the family source said.
Known for her comical roles as an aggressive and naughty woman, Daso was born in Gombe on January 17, 1968, and attended school in Kano.
She debuted in 2000 in a movie, Linzami Da Wuta, produced by Sarauniya Movies. Her other hits include Nagari, Gidauniya, Mashi, and Sansani. She appeared in over 100 movies.
With over 1.3 million followers on TikTok, Saratu shared several videos in the last month of Ramadan calling for support for widows, orphans, and the poor.
In some of the videos, she was shown providing food for the needy, offering help to the elderly, and promoting sermons of great scholars and religious leaders.
Away from acting, the deceased once served as the protocol officer (Jakadiya) to the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, in 2016.
She has since been buried according to the Islamic rite after prayers at the Emir’s Palace in Kano City.
The Emir Aminu Ado Bayero was in attendance.
