The EidAlFitr is one celebration that many Islamic Faithful in Nigeria look forward to, following the conclusion of holy month of fasting – Ramadan.

Each year, as it appears, there are cases of disparities across countries as it concerns the celebration and the one thing that fuels this is the failure to sight a new moon to signal the start of a new month.

In Saudi Arabia, the Eid celebration has been placed to a halt because the moon was not sighted on Friday night to signal celebrations for today, however, some Nigerians believe that a new moon was sighted and that it was alright for us to celebrate after the long fast.

The Sultan of Sokoto had earlier announced a halt in the celebration because as reported in Saudi Arabia, no new moon was seen.

BREAKING NEWS | The Crescent for the month of Shawwal was NOT SEEN today hence Eid Al Fitr will be on Sunday, 24 May 2020.#EidAlFitr #Ramadan pic.twitter.com/soMDL0Gv4L

— Haramain Sharifain (@hsharifain) May 22, 2020

Some people said they will not fast tomorrow despite’s the Sultans order. I will urge those among them that didn’t sight it with their own eyes to follow what the sultan said. May Allah make it easy for us and accept our fast.

— Moms best friend (@Ak_Yusufari) May 22, 2020

Now following the Sultan’s announcement, a few Nigerians have reacted to the news differently: some stated that it was unnecessary to follow the directives from Saudi Arabia even though a new moon has been sighted in Nigeria, while another half stands with the Sultan in his directives to fast one more day and move up celebration tomorrow.

Historians will one day write about the 8 Somali men of 2020. The liberators who freed the African people from the subduing shackles of Arab moon sighting?. #EidAlFitr #EidMubarak

— Mr.Amin (@Mr_Elmami) May 23, 2020

For many years, the moon sighting from Saudi Arabia had always been a green light many Muslims rely on to move on to celebrate the Eid, however, one country was the first to say no and move on with the celebration following the sighting of a new moon in the country – Somalia.

While Somalia may have gone against all odds to move on with the celebration, ‘African Giant’ – Nigeria is moving with the directives from Saudi Arabia.

This decision has led many to react to the Sultan’s decision as few have shared that it still sets the idea of slavery to the minds of Nigerian Muslims.

We are still colonised. Who said we must celebrate Eid with Saudi Arabia? Are we worshipping them? Moon was sighted in Zaria and Sultan of Sokoto is still denying.

There is critical selfishness in sighting moon in Nigeria. I'm not fasting tomorrow. Tomorrow is 1st Shawwal.

— Mahmud Galadanci (@Galadancii) May 22, 2020

Apparently the moon crescent to mark 1st of Shawaal and today as #Eid was sighted in zaria long after the Sultan has already announced Sunday as Eid.
Sheik Dairu Bauchi however has no jurisdiction to declare today as Eid it's the duty of the Sultan.
May Allah (swt) guide us.

— Abiodun Bello (@Abdul_A_Bello) May 23, 2020

Even NASA confirmed that new moon came out on Friday but Nigerian sultan said No, despite sightings by many in the country https://t.co/fCSyn0IDir

— Hamma (@HAHayatu) May 23, 2020

Finally!.
Someone spoke my mind!.

We do not worship Saudi at all.
And when did we do Ba'iah for the Sultan? When did we make him our Imam?

Moreover, why can't we wait for Lagos moon?
Why must it be Zaria?
Do we worship Zarians?

Maa sha Allah IQ.

Thank God for Sheikh Adam o. https://t.co/2Ej6nxzBbV

— NucleusLeads? (@AfANucleus) May 23, 2020

While many expressed their disappointment in the postponement of the celebration, a few also took side with the Sultan as they expressed that as long as the directives have been given, then it should be followed duly. For many, today had been planned out as the celebration but this kind of thing is not new in the Muslim community as there have been times where plans had changed because of the Moon.

Sultan made his announcement based on the report of the moon sighting committee. Everywhere in the world, it’s the constituted Muslim authority that make such announcement, anyone who comes out to say another thing is only looking for controversy.

— Sola (@Advsola) May 23, 2020

So you mean the words of sultan and his committee should be put first before words of Allah and his beloved prophet s.a.w?

Please don't let me cast you down with this your nonsense taught.

If we have ayat from quran or hadith at hand who is sultan and his committe? https://t.co/hlri7r0mbR

— NORTHERN BASARAKE (@XEENNURAIN) May 23, 2020

It’s funny how people always think that H.E The Sultan follows Saudi. We agreed to be members of the moonsigthing committee as Muslims and we are aware that Allah SWT will hold us to account on how we carry out our duties and we He knows we do it to the best of our ability.

— Simwal (@Simwal) May 22, 2020

Some Twitter users also pointed out that the Sultan didn’t solely make the decision as it was a decision reached by a community of selected Muslim scholars in Nigeria.

However the story finally unfolds, Nigerians are hoping for the best with this celebration in these trying times as many have also shared on Twitter.