The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has announced that the new moon for the Islamic month of Shawwal has been sighted.

The head of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, confirmed the sighting of the moon on Thursday night.

He announced Friday for the celebration of the Islamic festival, Eid-el-Fitr.

Nigeria will thus join other countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE for the celebration on Friday.

The federal government had declared Friday and next Monday as public holidays to celebrate the Islamic festival.

President Muhammadu Buhari has also congratulated Muslims on the conclusion of the Ramadan fast.

In his Sallah message to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting period, President Muhammadu Buhari stressed the importance of putting the virtues of Islam into practice beyond the fasting season.
While congratulating Muslims on completing “this spiritually significant month of sacrifice”, the president urged them to reflect on the importance of Ramadan in becoming good ambassadors of Islam at all times.

According to the president, “religion should be the moral compass for all believers in their public and personal lives,” adding that “if people allow the teachings of their religions to influence their conducts, problems such as corruption, which diverts public funds to private pockets, would have been eliminated in the society.”

Boko Haram: I have not seen my son Abubakar Shekau in last 15 years – mother

The mother of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, Falmata Abubakar, says she is not sure if her son is dead or alive.

In an interview with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America, the elderly woman said the last time she saw her son was 15 years ago.

The interview took place in Shekau, a village in Yobe state.

She said since her child met with the founder of the sect, Mohammed Yusuf, he has stayed away from her.

“I don’t know whether he is dead or alive, only God knows, I have not seen him in the last 15 years,” she said.

“I did not set my eyes on him since he came into contact with Mohammed Yusuf.

“I know he is my son, and everyone knows a mother’s love for her son, but our attitude to life is different… I pray God shows him the right path.”

Designer Stefano Gabbana Calls Selena Gomez 'Ugly' on Social Media

Italian designer Stefano Gabbana has a reputation for controversial, unfiltered and downright scathing remarks on social media. The co-founder of high-fashion label Dolce & Gabbana (which has been mired in its own slew of controversy surrounding anti-IVF and homophobic comments made by both Gabbana and business partner Domenico Dolce) made a nasty, completely unprovoked remark about Selena Gomez on Instagram attacking her appearance. And the singer’s passionate legions of Selenators have already run to her defense.
As first pointed out by Instagram account Diet Prada, Gabbana, 55, commented on post on The Catwalk Italia’s Instagram feed showing a five-split photo of Gomez in different red dresses prompting fans to pick their favorites in the comments.