The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH after the crescent marking the beginning of the new Islamic month was not sighted across Nigeria.

The declaration followed reports submitted by the National Moonsighting Committee and various state moonsighting committees, which confirmed that no authenticated sighting of the Safar moon was recorded on Tuesday, July 14, corresponding to the 29th of Muharram 1448AH.

In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, the committee announced that Wednesday, July 15, would complete the 30 days of Muharram.

“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,” the statement said.

It added: “Therefore, Wednesday, 15th July, 2026, will be the 30th Muharram 1448AH.”

Based on the recommendation of the committee, the Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), approved the commencement of the new Islamic month.

“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the 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 announcement provides the official basis for Muslims across Nigeria to begin the observance of the month of Safar, the second month of the Islamic (Hijrah) calendar. (TRIBUNE)