His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has officially declared Monday, 25th August 2025, as the first day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447 After Hijrah (AH) in the Islamic calendar.
The announcement was made public on Saturday through a statement issued by the Chairman of the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, who also holds the title of Wazirin Sokoto. According to the statement, the declaration followed thorough deliberations and consultations by the National Moon Sighting Committee and the Sultanate’s own religious advisory team.
Professor Junaidu explained that reports from moon sighting committees across the country confirmed that the new crescent of Rabi’ul Awwal was not sighted on the evening of Saturday, 23rd August 2025, which coincided with the 29th day of the Islamic month of Safar, 1447AH. As is the tradition in Islamic lunar calendar observance, when the new moon is not sighted on the 29th day, the current month is completed as 30 days.
Consequently, Sunday, 24th August 2025, has been declared as the 30th and final day of the month of Safar. This automatically makes Monday, 25th August 2025, the first day of Rabi’ul Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar, which holds significant spiritual and historical importance in the Muslim world.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, after receiving and reviewing the report submitted by the relevant committees, has accepted the findings and officially declared Monday, 25th August 2025, as the 1st day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH,” the statement confirmed.
Rabi’ul Awwal is widely regarded as a sacred month in Islam, being the month in which the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was born. Muslims across Nigeria and the world often use the month to reflect, offer prayers, and commemorate the Prophet’s life and teachings through religious gatherings and lectures.
The Sultan of Sokoto, as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims, remains the authoritative voice on such religious declarations in the country, based on verified moon sighting reports and in line with Islamic traditions.
