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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Sultanate Council asks Muslims to sight Safar 1448AH crescent

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has asked Muslims to watch for the new moon of Safar 1448AH on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
  • Muslims who sight the moon should report it to their local heads for transmission to the Sultan.
  • This moon-sighting determines the start of the new Islamic month, a significant religious duty coordinated by the Sultanate Council.

The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has issued an appeal to Muslims across Nigeria to be on the lookout for the crescent moon marking the beginning of Safar 1448AH. The designated day for this observation is Tuesday, July 14, 2026, which coincides with the 29th day of Muharram 1448AH.

This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Tuesday, 14th July, 2026, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Muharram 1448AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Safar 1448AH.

— Sultanate Council of SokotoAnnouncing the date for the Safar 1448AH moon sighting.

According to a statement released on Monday and signed by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs for the Sultanate Council, any Muslim who sights the new moon is requested to promptly report it. These sightings should be communicated to the nearest District Head or Village Head, who will then relay the information to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

The Sultan of Sokoto also serves as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). The council emphasized that this moon-sighting is a crucial religious obligation that officially commences the new Islamic month. Professor Junaidu expressed hope for divine guidance in fulfilling this duty.

Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Safar 1448AH on Tuesday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

— Sultanate Council of SokotoInstructing Muslims on how and to whom to report moon sightings.

The Sultanate Council traditionally plays a central role in coordinating the official moon-sighting process within Nigeria. The Sultan of Sokoto makes the final pronouncement on the commencement of Islamic months after carefully reviewing verified reports submitted from various parts of the country. This established procedure ensures a unified and official start to each new Islamic lunar month.

May Allah (SWT) help us in the discharge of this religious duty. Amen.

— Prof. Sambo Wali JunaiduPraying for divine assistance in the moon-sighting exercise.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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