SULTAN OF SOKOTO, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE SHAWWAL MOON HAS NOT BEEN SIGHTED IN NIGERIA AND HAS DECLARED FRIDAY, 20TH MARCH 2026, AS THE DAY OF EID-EL-FITR
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the celeberation of Eid-el-Fitr, following the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent across Nigeria. This is contained in a statement signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu. The statement says, the National Moon Sighting Committee did not receive any verified report of the Shawwal crescent sighting from various Committees across the Country on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1447AH. Consequently, Thursday, March 19th 2026, is declared as the 30th day of Ramadan, in line with Islamic tradition which stipulates completing thirty days when the new Moon is not sighted. It explained that the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Niger...