Lagos — Islamic scholars and clerics will converge on Abuja today for a two-day conference on moon sighting.A statement from Dr AbdulLateef Adegbite, Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said that the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa'ad, would deliver a keynote address at the event.

The event is coming ahead of the Ramadan fast in August.

It disclosed that the conference was for all stakeholders to discuss moon-sighting with a view to striking a consensus on the observance of the Ramadan fasting in Nigeria.

Ramadan fasting comes up on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar with the sighting of the moon and ends with the sighting of the next moon.

The statement listed dignitaries expected at the conference to include the FCT Minister, Alhaji Adamu Aliero, and Rep. Dimeji Bankole, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Others are Sen. Teslim Folarin, Senate Leader, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, traditional rulers, Muslim leaders and Islamic organisations.

NAN reports that controversies had continued trailed the commencement and ending of Ramadan fast in Nigeria due to variance in moon sighting.