By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Thursday, October 23, 2025, as the first day of the new Islamic month of Jumadal Ula, 1447 After Hijrah.
The announcement was made in a press release on Tuesday following the failure to sight the new crescent moon.
The Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs and the National Moonsighting Committee stated that no verified reports of the moon’s sighting were received from across Nigeria on Tuesday, October 21st, which corresponded to the 29th of Rabi’ul Assani.
Consequently, Wednesday, October 22nd, will complete the outgoing month as the 30th day of Rabi’ul Assani.
As the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sultan Abubakar accepted the committee’s report and made the declaration, marking the beginning of the new lunar month for the Muslim community in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by Prof. Sambe Wali Junaidu, the Waziri of Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs.