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. Related News Sultanate Council urges Muslims to look out for Safar 1448AH crescent Yoruba Muslim clerics disown fundraising groups using its identity Tinubu felicitates Muslims on Islamic New Year, urges patriotism
