The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria 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 after the new crescent moon was not sighted across the country.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs and signed by its Chairman, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, who is also the Waziri of Sokoto.
According to the statement, the National Moonsighting Committee, working with moonsighting committees in different parts of Nigeria, did not receive any verified report confirming that the crescent marking the beginning of Safar had been sighted on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, which corresponded to the 29th day of Muharram 1448AH.
The committee explained that the absence of a confirmed moon sighting meant that the month of Muharram would complete its full 30 days, in line with Islamic tradition.
“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.
It added that Wednesday, July 15, 2026, would therefore be observed as the 30th day of Muharram 1448AH.
Based on the recommendation of the National Moonsighting Committee, the Sultan accepted the report and officially declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, 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 declaration serves as the official guide for Muslims across Nigeria in determining the start of the new Islamic month and the timing of religious activities linked to the Hijri calendar.
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar made up of 12 months. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows the movement of the sun, the Hijri calendar is based on the phases of the moon. As a result, each Islamic month begins only after the sighting of the new crescent moon or the completion of 30 days of the current month if the moon is not sighted.
Safar is the second month of the Islamic calendar, coming immediately after Muharram, which is one of Islam’s four sacred months. While Muharram holds special religious significance because of events such as the Day of Ashura, Safar is generally regarded as a regular month in the Islamic calendar, with Muslims continuing their daily acts of worship, prayers and other religious obligations.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto is widely recognised as the spiritual leader of the country’s Muslim community. His announcements on the beginning and end of Islamic months are followed by millions of Muslims across the country, especially for important periods such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and the commencement of other Hijri months.
The Sultanate Council relies on reports from the National Moonsighting Committee and state and local moonsighting committees before making any official declaration. Only authenticated sightings are accepted, ensuring that the announcement follows established Islamic guidelines and reflects reports gathered from different parts of the country.
The process has become a standard practice in Nigeria, helping to ensure that Muslims begin and end important religious observances on the same day. The council also works closely with Islamic scholars and experts to verify moon sightings before any announcement is made.
The declaration of Safar 1448AH provides clarity for Muslim faithful, Islamic organisations, schools and religious institutions that use the Hijri calendar to plan activities, lectures and other programs.
Although the beginning of Safar does not involve special nationwide celebrations like the two Eid festivals, it marks another important stage in the Islamic year and reminds Muslims of the passage of time according to the lunar calendar.
With Thursday officially declared as the first day of Safar 1448AH, Muslims across Nigeria are expected to begin observing the new month in line with the Sultan’s directive and continue their religious activities according to the Islamic calendar.