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 declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH following the non-sighting of the new crescent moon across Nigeria.
The declaration came after the National Moonsighting Committee and various state and local moon-sighting committees failed to record any authenticated sighting of the Safar crescent on Tuesday, July 14, which corresponded to the 29th day of Muharram 1448AH.
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.
Moon not sighted across Nigeria
According to the statement, reports received from moon-sighting committees nationwide confirmed that the crescent marking the beginning of the new Islamic month was not sighted, making it necessary to complete the current month of Muharram in line with Islamic tradition.
The committee explained that Wednesday, July 15, would therefore be observed as the 30th day of Muharram 1448AH before the commencement of the new lunar month.
Following the committee’s recommendation, the Sultan accepted the report and officially declared Thursday, July 16, as the first day of Safar 1448AH for Muslims across the country.
Council urges Muslims to observe declaration
The Sultanate Council said the declaration serves as the official guide for the commencement of the second month of the Islamic calendar and should be observed by Muslims in Nigeria when planning religious activities tied to the Hijri calendar.
It also urged Muslims to continue praying for peace, unity and stability in Nigeria while upholding the values of patience, compassion and mutual understanding as they begin the new month.
The council commended members of the National Moonsighting Committee and other committees across the country for their efforts in carrying out the moon-sighting exercise in accordance with Islamic principles and established procedures.
Importance of Safar in the Islamic calendar
The council reaffirmed that the sighting of the new crescent, or the completion of 30 days of the preceding month where no valid sighting is recorded, remains the accepted method of determining the beginning of Islamic lunar months.
Safar is the second month of the Islamic calendar and follows Muharram, one of Islam’s four sacred months. The beginning of each Hijri month is determined by the appearance of the new crescent, making moon sighting an important aspect of Islamic religious observance.
The Sultan’s declaration is expected to guide Muslims across Nigeria in observing activities associated with the month of Safar while ensuring uniformity in the country’s Islamic calendar.