Sultan declares Tuesday Islamic New Year, Sokoto announces public holiday

File: Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Tuesday, June 16, as the first day of Muharram 1448AH in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and marks the beginning of the new Islamic year.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Sokoto by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Prof. Sambo Junaidu.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government has declared Tuesday, corresponding to 1 Muharram 1448AH, a public holiday to enable Muslims in the state to celebrate the commencement of the new Islamic year.