The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH following the non-sighting of the new crescent moon across Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
According to the statement, the National Moonsighting Committee, working alongside various state and local moonsighting committees, did not receive any authenticated report confirming the sighting of the Safar crescent on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, which corresponded to the 29th day of Muharram 1448AH.
As a result, the Sultanate Council ruled that Wednesday, July 15, 2026, would be observed as the 30th day of Muharram 1448AH, completing the Islamic month.
Following the recommendation of the National Moonsighting Committee, the Sultan approved Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the official commencement of Safar 1448AH.
The declaration signals the beginning of the second month in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and serves as the official guide for Muslims across Nigeria in observing religious activities and events linked to the new Islamic month.
