The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, declares Tuesday, June 16, as the first day of Muharram 1448 AH in Nigeria. Multiple outlets report that, ahead of the Islamic New Year, the Sultan instructs Muslims nationwide to participate in the sighting of the Muharram crescent moon, an exercise intended to determine the official commencement of the new Islamic year. The guidance is framed as a nationwide religious directive issued through statements attributed to the Sultan and NSCIA leadership.
In addition, Sokoto authorities announce Tuesday as a public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year. The reports collectively describe the same religious observance—Muharram 1448 AH—and the same key public action: moon sighting and the resulting date declaration for the start of the year. The coverage does not indicate any disagreements across sources regarding the date or the purpose of the moon-sighting instructions.
