Tuesday June 16 is First Day of Muharram 1448AH, Sultan of Sokoto declares

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

According to Professor Junaidu, who is the Waziri of Sokoto, the declaration followed the sighting and verification of the new moon of Muharram in accordance with Islamic tradition.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Tuesday June 16, 2026, as the first day of Muharram 1448AH, marking the end of 1447AH and commencement of the Islamic New Year.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday June 15 , 2026 by Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu.

According to Professor Junaidu, who is the Waziri of Sokoto, the declaration followed the sighting and verification of the new moon of Muharram in accordance with Islamic tradition.

The Sultan congratulated Muslims across Nigeria and around the world on the beginning of the new Islamic calendar year and urged the faithful to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, security, and prosperity in the country.

Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam and marks the beginning of the Hijri calendar, which commemorates the migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah.