Opinion
JUST IN…. END OF RAMADAN, EID-EL-FITR DAY FINALLY REVEALED
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has said the appearance of the next astronomical lunar crescent, which signifies the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, is on Wednesday, 12 May 2021.
By the prediction of the Nigerian space agency, if it occurs, the Eid Fitri festival, which comes a day after the end of Ramadan, will be celebrated by Nigerian Muslims on Thursday.
Although, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, had directed the search for the new moon of Shawwal from Tuesday, May 11.
Spokesman of National Space Research and Development Agency Dr Felix Ale, in a statement, on Monday, said from its calculations, it found out that the conjunction of the moon will occur at about 8:00 pm on Tuesday 11 May 2021; while the first astronomical lunar crescent will only appear in Nigeria on Wednesday 12th May 2021 at about 8:30 am.
The stated said that the very first appearance of the lunar crescent could not be seen on Wednesday morning with unaided eyes because of its size and barrier caused by light.
But it will only be visible in the evening of Wednesday, between 6:21 pm and 7:42 pm, after sunset in Nigeria.
It said: “The first lunar crescent visibility in states are as follows; Yola in Adamawa State will be the first to witness the first young lunar crescent from about 6:21 pm to 6:57 pm and followed by Maiduguri in Borno State from 6:23 pm to 6:59 pm.
“The city of Jalingo in Taraba State will be the next to witness the appearance from 6:26 pm to 7:02 pm, while Yobe State in the city of Damaturu and Gombe state will experience the appearance of the Lunar crescent from about 6:28 pm to 7:04 pm, and 6:29 pm to 7:05 pm respectively.
“In Abuja the country’s capital city, the Lunar crescent will appear at 6:45 pm and end with moonset at about 7:27 pm while Kano and Sokoto will experience Lunar Crescent between 6:42 pm and 7:19 pm; and 6:57 pm and 7:43 pm respectively with Kano having sunset at 6:42 pm and moonset at 7:24 pm.
“Also, Abeokuta in Ogun State will experience the appearance of the Lunar crescent between 6:56 pm and 7:33 pm, while in Kastina state the first lunar crescent will appear between the hours of 6:47 pm and 7:24 pm with sunset and moonset at about 6:47 pm and 7:29 pm respectively”.
The agency also said Jos in Plateau state and Kaduna state would experience the crescent from between 6:38 pm and 7:14 pm, and between 6:44 pm and 7:21 pm respectively.
According to its calculations, the sunset and moonset in both states will be 6:38 pm and 7:19 pm and 6:44 pm and 7:26 pm respectively.
The crescent will be sighted in Enugu from 6:38 pm to 7:15 pm, with sunset and moonset at about 6:38 pm and 7:20 pm respectively while it will be lastly sighted in Birnin Kebbi between 7:00 pm to 7:37 pm, it added.
All other states of the federation will experience the lunar crescent between the estimated time of 6:21 pm and 7:42 pm on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, according to NASDRA.
According to the space agency, all results released by the agency show precise date, appearance time of the first crescent, time of sunset as well as moonset for all the State Capitals and the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday 12 May 2021.
It said the calculated results are made available for the information of the general public especially those who would need them for religious and academic purposes.
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