NIGERIA: The northern Nigerian state where the United States staged Christmas Day air strikes targeting militants is preparing for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and trying to banish thoughts of the violence that has plagued the region.
Sokoto state is home to Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, who typically announces the start of Ramadan in the west African country, during which Muslims fast for 29 to 30 days.
Largely spared insurgency and banditry, unlike other states, Muslim-majority Sokoto was the site of surprise US air strikes on December 25, which Nigerian authorities said targeted “two major Daesh terrorist enclaves” in the state’s Tangaza district.
The Abu Hurairah central mosque in the state capital was packed on Friday when AFP visited. Hundreds of people, including children, defied the sweltering heat to attend prayers.
With Ramadan so close, the imam emphasized brotherhood, charity and togetherness.
