Sultan declares Thursday first day of Safar 1448AH

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH after the non-sighting of the new crescent moon across Nigeria. Professor Sambnoon Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, made the announcement. The decision followed the absence of authenticated reports confirming the sighting of the Safar crescent on Tuesday. The declaration marks the beginning of the second month of the Islamic calendar for Nigerian Muslims.