By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced that Thursday, July 16, 2026, will mark the beginning of Safar 1448AH after the new crescent was not sighted anywhere in Nigeria.

The announcement was made in a statement released on Wednesday by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs and signed by its Chairman, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, who is also the Waziri of Sokoto.

The statement explained that the National Moonsighting Committee, working with moon-sighting committees across the country, 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, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, will complete the 30th day of Muharram, in line with the Islamic calendar.

After considering the committee’s report, the Sultan approved the completion of Muharram and declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH.

The announcement officially signals the start of the second month of the Islamic calendar and provides the basis for Muslims across Nigeria to observe religious activities connected with the Hijri calendar.

Source: Punch Newspaper