File: Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has 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 contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs and signed by its Chairman, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Waziri of Sokoto.
According to the statement, the National Moonsighting Committee, in collaboration with various moonsighting committees across the country, did not receive any authenticated report confirming the sighting of the Safar crescent on Tuesday, July 14, corresponding to the 29th of Muharram 1448AH.
“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee, did not receive any report from various moonsighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the crescent of Safar 1448AH on Tuesday, 14th July, 2026, equivalent to 29th Muharram 1448AH,” the statement said.
It added that, “Therefore, Wednesday, 15th July, 2026, will be the 30th of Muharram 1448AH.”
Based on the report, the Sultan approved the completion of the current Islamic month and declared the commencement of the new month on Thursday.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has accepted the report and accordingly declared Thursday, 16th July, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH,” the statement added.
The declaration marks the beginning of the second month of the Islamic calendar. It serves as the official guide for Muslims across Nigeria in observing religious activities tied to the Hijri calendar.
