From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims across Nigeria to look out for the new crescent marking the beginning of Rabi’ al-Thani 1448 AH.
The Sultan urged Muslims to search for the crescent on Friday, September 11, 2026.
The call was contained in a statement signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
According to the statement, Friday corresponds with the 29th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH, making it the appropriate day for the sighting of the new moon.
The Sultan therefore encouraged Muslims across the country to make deliberate efforts to sight the crescent after sunset.
The statement urged anyone who sights the new moon to immediately report the observation to the nearest village or district head.
Such reports, it added, should be forwarded to the Sultanate Council for verification and subsequent official announcement.
The Sultanate traditionally coordinates moon-sighting reports to determine the beginning of Islamic lunar months in Nigeria.
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