- The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the start of Safar 1448AH following the non-sighting of the new crescent moon.
- The announcement was formalized by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs after receiving reports from local moon sighting committees.
- With no validated reports of the crescent on Tuesday, July 14, Wednesday, July 15 was declared the 30th day of Muharram 1448AH, allowing the current Islamic month to run its full course.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH.
Eko Hot Blog reports that this declaration follows the non-sighting of the new crescent moon across the country’s designated observation points on Tuesday night.
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The national announcement was contained in a formal statement issued on Wednesday by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs and signed by its Chairman, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, who also serves as the Waziri of Sokoto.
According to the official communication, the National Moonsighting Committee, working in close collaboration with various regional moonsighting bodies and Islamic organizations across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, did not receive any authenticated report confirming the sighting of the Safar crescent on Tuesday, July 14, which corresponded to the 29th of Muharram 1448AH.
Following established Islamic jurisprudential guidelines on crescent sighting, the advisory committee resolved that Wednesday, July 15, 2026, would automatically be observed as the 30th day of Muharram 1448AH.
This ensures the current lunar month completes its full 30-day cycle before transitioning into the next.
Based on the technical and religious reports submitted by the advisory body, the Sultan accepted the findings and approved the completion of the current Islamic month, authorizing the commencement of the new lunar cycle on Thursday.
The formal declaration marks the official transition into Safar, which is the second month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. In Islamic tradition, Safar succeeds Muharram, one of the four sacred months of the year.
Historically, the month of Safar has been a period of travel and trade preparation for early Muslim communities.
Today, this calendar update serves as the authoritative timeline for the Muslim Ummah across Nigeria in planning, organizing, and observing religious activities, voluntary fasts, and other community events tied to the Hijri calendar.
By coordinating these announcements through a centralized advisory body, the Sultanate continues to promote religious unity and administrative order among the millions of Muslims in Nigeria.
The process relies on a robust network of volunteers, Islamic scholars, and astronomical experts who monitor the horizon at sunset on the 29th day of each lunar month.
This systematic approach ensures that religious observances across Nigeria remain synchronized with global Islamic practices.
With the new month officially underway, Islamic scholars have urged the Muslim faithful to use the period to pray for peace, stability, and economic recovery across Nigeria, emphasizing the values of patience, tolerance, and community development.
