Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, has sighted the moon signalling the beginning of Ramadan.
The Sultan in a live broadcast on Monday announced that the Ramadan fast will begin on Tuesday.
He advised Muslims to ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol during the Ramadan period.
The beginning and end of Islamic months are determined by the sighting of the new moon.
Muslims during Ramadan abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to sunset.
Muslims usually have evening prayers by large social and religious gatherings, but due to COVID-19, restrictions would limit some practices for the second year.
Saudi Arabia will observe Ramadan from Tuesday, state media in the kingdom reported.
King Salman urged people in the country to follow coronavirus preventive measures.
Observers spotted the new moon on Monday evening and reported the sighting to religious authorities, the state broadcaster Al Ekhbariya TV said.
After approving the sighting, the Saudi Supreme Court said that Tuesday would be the first day of the holy month.
“Ramadan comes this year as the world reels under coronavirus pandemic. We ask everyone to adhere to the preventive measures and take the initiative to receive the vaccines,” Saudi King Salman was quoted as saying by Al Ekhbariya.
He urged all Muslims to unite and hailed measures taken to ensure the safety of people performing Umrah.
