Sokoto, July 25, 2025 – The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the National Moon sighting Committee, has announced that the crescent of Safar 1447AH was not sighted on the evening of Thursday, July 24, 2025, which corresponded with the 29th day of Muharram 1447AH.
According to an official statement released on Friday, July 25, 2025, no credible moonsighting reports were received from any of the authorized moonsighting committees across the country. As a result, Friday marks the completion of 30 days of the month of Muharram, in line with Islamic tradition.
His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has officially accepted the committee’s report and consequently declared Saturday, July 26, 2025, as the first day of Safar 1447AH.
The announcement follows the established Islamic practice of determining the beginning of a new lunar month based on the physical sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with prophetic tradition. The Sultan’s declaration is binding on Muslims across Nigeria and reflects the unity and consistency of Islamic observance throughout the country.
