Sultan Confirms Thursday, July 16 as First Day of Safar 1448AH After Moon Sighting Review

Nigeria’s Muslim community will begin the Islamic month of Safar 1448AH on Thursday, July 16, 2026, following an official declaration by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, after no verified sighting of the new crescent moon was recorded across the country.

The announcement provides the official Hijri calendar guidance used by many Muslims in Nigeria for religious observances, Islamic events, and date-based activities.

No Confirmed Crescent Moon Sighting Across Nigeria

The declaration was announced on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.

According to the committee, the National Moonsighting Committee, working alongside regional moonsighting committees nationwide, did not receive any authenticated report confirming the appearance of the Safar crescent on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, which corresponded to the 29th day of Muharram 1448AH.

As a result, the current Islamic month of Muharram will complete its full 30 days.

Consequently:

• Wednesday, July 15, 2026 is recognized as 30 Muharram 1448AH.
• Thursday, July 16, 2026 officially marks 1 Safar 1448AH.

The Sultan approved the completion of Muharram before declaring the start of the new Islamic month.

Why the Announcement Matters

The beginning of every Islamic month is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon, a practice rooted in Islamic tradition.

In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto serves as the recognized spiritual leader for many Muslims, and his announcements are widely followed by Islamic organizations, state governments, mosques, schools, and religious institutions.

The declaration helps ensure that Muslims across the country observe the Hijri calendar on a unified timetable, particularly for religious activities, Islamic education, and future events linked to the lunar calendar.

Understanding the Month of Safar

Safar is the second month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, following Muharram, one of Islam’s four sacred months.

Historically, Safar has been associated with various cultural beliefs in different societies. However, mainstream Islamic teachings emphasize that the month itself carries no inherent bad luck or supernatural significance. Many Islamic scholars encourage Muslims to avoid superstitions and instead focus on worship, good character, and daily religious obligations throughout the month.

How Moon Sighting Determines the Islamic Calendar

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle.

Each Hijri month contains either 29 or 30 days, depending on whether the new crescent moon is successfully sighted after sunset on the 29th day of the current month. If no authenticated sighting is confirmed, the month automatically completes 30 days before the next month begins.

This method is used in many Muslim-majority countries, although some nations also rely on astronomical calculations alongside traditional moon sightings.

What Happens Next?

With Safar now set to begin on Thursday, Muslim communities across Nigeria are expected to update their religious calendars accordingly.

The next official moon-sighting announcement from the Sultanate Council will determine the beginning of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448AH, the third month of the Islamic calendar.