By Achile Danjuma
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced that the new moon of Shawwal 1447AH was not sighted on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (29th day of Ramadan).
In line with Islamic injunctions from the Qur’an and Hadith, Muslims are required to complete 30 days of fasting when the moon is not sighted, making Thursday, March 19, 2026, the 30th day of Ramadan. Consequently, Friday, March 20, 2026, has been declared the first day of Shawwal 1447AH and the day for Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The announcement, issued by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee and signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu (Wazirin Sokoto), confirmed no verified sightings were received nationwide.
The Sultan felicitated with Nigerian Muslims on completing Ramadan, urged continued prayers for peace, unity, and development, and prayed that Allah accepts all acts of worship. “May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds, Amin.”