Sokoto Cleric Sheikh Musa Lukuwa Defies Sultanate Council Directive to Hold Early Eid al-Fitr Prayers

Sheikh Musa Lukuwa holds Eid prayers in Sokoto on Thursday, citing Niger Republic moon sightings and defying the Sultan's official Friday declaration.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 7:29 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Naija News

A Fractured Start to Eid Celebrations

The religious landscape in Sokoto faced a notable division on Thursday morning as Sheikh Musa Lukuwa conducted Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Mabera mosque. While the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, had officially declared Friday as the day of celebration due to a lack of crescent sightings within Nigeria, Lukuwa proceeded with the two unit prayer at approximately 9:10 a.m. This act of defiance drew a significant gathering of followers who chose to align with the scholar’s interpretation of lunar sightings rather than the centralized directive of the Sultanate Council.

Cross Border Sightings Fuel Religious Dispute

The crux of the disagreement stems from reports originating outside of Nigerian borders, specifically from the neighboring Niger Republic. Sheikh Lukuwa argued that the proximity of Niger, roughly 100 kilometers from Sokoto, makes its lunar observations scientifically and religiously relevant to his congregation. According to Lukuwa, if the community is expected to accept reports from distant Nigerian cities like Lagos or Kano, there is no logical or theological reason to ignore verified sightings from a neighboring country that shares a close geographical profile.

Theological Obligation Versus Administrative Unity

In addressing the controversy, Lukuwa maintained that his actions were not intended as a personal challenge to the Sultan’s authority but were instead rooted in strict religious duty. He stated that while his congregation typically follows the Sultanate for the start and end of Ramadan, they must prioritize the teachings of the Prophet when a sighting is confirmed. The cleric suggested that the current centralized system for announcing the moon, which was established to promote Muslim unity, should not override the primary evidence of a visible crescent moon.