The President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, 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 the country.
According to the statement, the National Moonsighting Committee, working with moonsighting committees across Nigeria, did not receive any authenticated reports confirming the sighting of the Safar crescent on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, corresponding to 29 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 read.
As a result, the council announced that Wednesday, July 15, 2026, would complete the 30th day of Muharram 1448AH, in line with Islamic lunar calendar guidelines, which require the current month to be completed when the new moon is not sighted.
Following the committee’s report, the Sultan approved the completion of Muharram and officially declared the beginning of Safar.
“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 marks the commencement of the second month of the Islamic calendar for Muslims across Nigeria and serves as the official guide for religious observances tied to the Hijri calendar.
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