A drama notched up after Supreme Islamic Council’s late declaration of Saturday as Eid day in the Gambia.

Top officials of the council earlier Friday noon urged the public to fast Saturday because the moon has not been sighted.

But 4 hours later, the umbrella of the Muslims community in the country released a statement declaring Saturday Eid day.

“The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC) wishes to announce to the public, after our initial announcement, has received confirmed news of the Crescent Moon been sighted in countries in the ECOWAS region such as Mali, Niger, Senegal and Ivory Coast,” the Council said in a statement in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

“Thus the Council wishes to renounce tomorrow Saturday 23rd May 2020 as the 1st day of Shawwal. Therefore tomorrow Saturday 23rd May 2020 will be observed as Eid-ul-Fitr (Koriteh) in The Gambia.”

However, confusion has been created among the about 2 million Gambians as many have gone to sleep bearing in mind Saturday is a fast day.

Thousands others have lambasted the council saying the declaration is “too late.”

Meanwhile, the moon has been sighted in The Gambia as the council for years depends sighting of the moon on other countries especially Saudi Arabia which is at least 3 hours ahead of the west African nation.

Row and disagreement over sighting of moons for Ramadan, Eids has now become a culture in the country.

Muslims of the country have been observing fasting for the past 29 days.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba