The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims across Nigeria to begin searching for the new moon that will usher in the Islamic year 1448AH.
The call was made in a statement signed by Prof Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sokoto Sultanate Council, on Sunday.
According to the statement, Monday, June 15, 2026 — corresponding to the 29th day of Zulhijjah 1447AH — has been designated as the date for the nationwide moon-sighting exercise to herald the new month of Muharram.
The statement read in part: “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Monday 15th June, 2026, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Zulhijja 1447AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Muharram 1448AH.”
Muslims were advised to watch the skies after sunset on Monday and promptly report any confirmed sighting through the appropriate traditional structures.
The statement further directed that “Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Muharram 1448AH on Monday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).”
The moon-sighting tradition is a longstanding practice among Muslim communities in Nigeria and globally, used to mark the start of new months on the Islamic lunar calendar. Muharram holds special significance as one of the four sacred months in Islam and signals the beginning of the new Islamic year.
The Sultanate Council will officially declare the commencement of Muharram once reports from various parts of the country have been received and verified.
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