The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs on Sunday urged Nigerians especially, Muslims, to continue to pray for the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.

The Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof. Ish-haq Oloyede, during a media briefing in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on behalf of the NSCIA, also encouraged Muslims to keep the virtues and gains of the month of Ramadan as a spiritual guide for accelerated development of the nation.

He appealed to all Muslims to ensure that the Ramadan lessons continued to reflect in their lives. Oloyede, who is the immediate Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, advised them to prepare for Eid-el-fitri, that would mark the end of Ramadan fast on Tuesday or Wednesday.

He said that as soon as experts sighted the crescent, the President General of the NSCIA, who is also the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa-ad Abubakar, would declare the end of Ramadan. He also charged Muslims to be on the lookout for the directive of the President-General of the NSCIA, on the completion of this year's Ramadan.

He said Muslims could contact Islamic leaders in their locality for information and clarification. Oleyede also reminded Muslim faithful of the need to pay 'Zakatul-Fitri' with the intention of helping the hearts of the indigents members of the community.

He pleaded with them to ensure its delivery to the appropriate recipients -the poor - and guard against its diversion by any agent or intermediary. He said, "In preparation for the 1437 AH Eid-el-fitri celebration, the National Moon Sighting Committee of the NSCIA has advised the President-General that the Crescent of Shawwal should be searched for on Monday, July 4, 2016; equivalent to 29th Ramadan, 1437 AH.

"If the crescent is actually sighted by informed persons at night and His Eminence is so advised by the experts, he would declare Tuesday, July 5,2016 as the first day of Shawwal(I’d day). "If, however, the crescent is not sighted on Monday night, Wednesday, July 6,2016 automatically becomes the fifth of Shawwal, 1437AH (I'd day)."

"As soon as the NMSC, based on verified information, confirms the sighting of the crescent, the committee will advise the President-General of the NSCIA, who will announce the completion of Ramadan and the observance of Eid-el-fitri prayer. "Muslims are also strongly advised to fast for six days between the 2nd and the end of Shawwal."