Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and leader of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has officially announced that Friday, August 14, 2026, marks the beginning of the Islamic month of Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH. This decision followed confirmed sightings of the crescent moon across various regions of Nigeria.
The announcement was issued by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs. According to the official statement, reports from the National Moon Sighting Committee and other regional bodies confirmed the sighting on Thursday, August 13, which was the 29th day of Safar.
After verifying these reports, the Sultan approved the commencement of the new month. This period is of great spiritual importance to the Muslim community, as it is traditionally observed in connection with the life of Prophet Muhammad. The Sultan serves as the primary authority for establishing the Islamic lunar calendar in Nigeria, ensuring that religious observances align with verified celestial events.
Muslims across the nation have been encouraged to align their activities with this timeline as they enter the new month.
