Nigerian Muslims look to Ramadaan for peace and calm after US strikes

THE northern Nigerian state where the US staged Christmas Day air strikes targeting Islamist militants is preparing for the Muslim holy month of Ramadaan and trying to banish thoughts of the violence that has plagued the region.

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Sokoto state is home to Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, who typically announces the start of Ramadaan 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 Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves” in the state’s Tangaza district.

The Abu Hurairah central mosque in the state capital was packed last Friday. Hundreds of people, including children, defied the sweltering heat to attend prayers.

With Ramadaan so close, the imam emphasised brotherhood, charity and togetherness.