The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III has declared Friday, January 31, as the first day of Sha’aban.
The announcement was made on Thursday, January 30, by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs and the National Moon Sighting Committee.
According to the committees, there were no confirmation on the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Sha’aban 1446AH.
However, the committee stated that Thursday has been declared as the 30th day of Rajabsince there were no reports received on the sighting of the moon by various committees nationwide.
A statement by the Sultanate Council said, “As a result, Thursday, January 30, 2025, will be observed as the 30th day of Rajab 1446AH.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has accepted the report and officially declared Friday, January 31, 2025, as the first day of Sha’aban 1446AH,” the statement said.
It also added that the declaration is key for the Muslim community because the Sha’aban is the month preceding Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.
It said, “The declaration ensures uniformity in the Islamic calendar, guiding religious observances across Nigeria.”
The Sultanate Council urged all Muslims across the country to follow official announcements regarding Islamic dates and to prepare themselves spiritually for the upcoming month of Ramadan.
