Sultan Declares Thursday First Day Of Safar 1448AH

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH.

The announcement followed reports of non-sighting of the new crescent moon across Nigeria. The Sultan is also President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs said the National Moonsighting Committee worked with moon-sighting groups across the country before the decision was announced.

Muslim communities use the announcement to align religious dates and local observances with the Islamic calendar.

Sources: Vanguard, Punch