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By: Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus. Date: Tuesday, 24th March, 2026 (5th Shawwāl, 1447 AH). THE United States and Israel are reportedly exploring options for a ceasefire with Iran , even as the conflict continues to intensify across the region. U.S. officials say indirect engagement is ongoing through intermediaries , describing the contacts as constructive efforts toward de-escalation . In a related move, Washington has temporarily held back some planned strikes, particularly those targeting Iran’s energy facilities , signaling a possible diplomatic opening. Despite this, Israel continues its military operations, carrying out fresh strikes with no clear indication of aligning with the proposed diplomatic efforts. In response, Iran has taken a firm and cautious stance. Authorities in Tehran have rejected claims of active negotiations, stressing that no direct talks with the United States are taking place. While acknowledging the exchange of messages via third parties, officials in...

By: Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus. Date: Tuesday, 24th March, 2026 (5th Shawwāl, 1447 AH). THE Iranian government has recorded a new higher number of death casualties amid the ongoing US-Israeli war in the country. As of now, over 1500 people, majorly children, were killed in Iran by the US and Israel strikes since the beginning of the war on February 28th. While about 7 US soldiers and 18 Israeli people were killed by Iran, some other people were injured in those countries. Meanwhile, the US President, Donald Trump , with the Israeli Prime minister, Benjamin Natanyahu, has announced to hold talks with Iran—an announcement the Iranian government has debunked.

By: Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus. Date: Friday, 20th March, 2026 (1st Shawwāl, 1447 AH). THE Deputy Imam, Aba-ọjẹ Muslim Community Mosque, Ustaadh Mustapha Badmus Abū Haneefah , has called upon Muslims to uplift religious righteousness, after leading the ' Eid al-Fitr congregational prayer today. The Imam, who led the two-unit ( Rak’āt ) prayer with the recitation of Suratul Qāf in the first Rak’ah and Sūratul Qamar in the second, centered his sermon on the topic: “The Reason for Eid and the Duties of Muslims on the Day.” Muslims gathered in large numbers today at Aba-ọjẹ Community Mosque, Kutẹ, Wofun—Olodo, Ibadan , to observe the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan . In his address, he reminded the faithful that Eid is not merely a day of celebration, but one of responsibility and continued obedience to Allah. “Eid is a gift from Allah, but it comes with responsibilities. It is a day to strengthen our bonds and to reflect the values w...

— Pen Blog Media. Date: Thursday, 19th March, 2026 (30th Ramadan, 1447 AH). AS the Ramadan of the year 2026/1447AH came to an end today, Muslims in Nigeria, neighbouring countries and even Saudi Arabia are expected to perform 'Eedul Fitr prayer tomorrow, Friday, 20th March, 2026. In many countries after the announcements of not sighting Shawwal crescent moon , tomorrow's date is Islamically equivalent to 1st Shawwal, 1447 AH. Despite clear announcements and official statements from the Islamic authorities, some verified reports showed some areas where the 'Eedul Fitr was observed in Nigeria. A viral video online, but yet to be verified, showed an Ustaadh, simply identified as Ustaadh AbdurRauf Kishi performing the 'Eedul Fitr today for some people. Some media outlets also reported a case of a Sokoto Imām that observed the prayer today, despite the announcement of the Sultanate Council in Nigeria . Although, countries like Afghanistan , Niger and Mali , observed the p...

By: Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus. Date: Wednesday, 18th March, 2026 (29th Ramadan , 1447 AH). THE Sultan of Sokoto , Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III , has declared Friday as the day for Eid-ul-Fitr in Nigeria, in line with Saudi Arabia’s earlier announcement. The decision follows the completion of the moon sighting exercise marking the end of Ramadan 1447AH , in line with Islamic rulings that tie the start of Shawwal to the visibility of the crescent . Pen Blog Media has earlier reported that Saudi authorities had confirmed Friday as Eid after reports of the crescent sighting, stating that “the sighting of the Shawwal crescent has been established,” thereby signalling the end of the fasting period. In Nigeria, the Sultan—who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs —announced the date after receiving and verifying credible reports from across the country. The Sultanate Council said the decision followed “careful verification and authentic...

By: Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus. Date: Wednesday, 18th March, 2026 (29th Ramadan , 1447 AH). AUTHORITIES in Saudi Arabia have formally verified that Eidul-Fitr festivities will commence on Friday, March 20, 2026, following the failed observation of the Shawwal moon on Wednesday evening. Consequently, the specialized committees tasked with scanning the horizon across the Kingdom reported no visibility of the new crescent. Based on this official judicial ruling, the month of Ramadan will span a full 30-day term, marking Thursday, March 19, the concluding day of fasting for the year. Such an extension is a standard Islamic practice when the lunar cycle cannot be visually confirmed on the 29th day due to atmospheric or astronomical factors. The announcement was widely shared by " Inside the Haramain " and other major regional outlets. Religious leaders have encouraged the public to maximize their final hours of devotion and spiritual reflection, as the extra day serves as a...

By: Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus. Date: Wednesday, 18th March, 2026 (29th Ramadan , 1447 AH). SAUDI Arabia has not yet officially announced whether the crescent moon marking the start of Shawwāl 1447 AH has been sighted, as Muslims worldwide await the confirmation for the date of Eid al-Fitr 2026 . Earlier, authorities in the Kingdom, through the Supreme Court , urged citizens and residents to look out for the Shawwāl crescent on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The sighting of the crescent moon remains a key Islamic practice that signifies the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwāl, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr. At the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released confirming whether the moon has been seen, although some unverified reports claimed that the crescent moon for Shawwal has been declared unseen. The Supreme Court is expected to assess verified reports before issuing a formal declaration. ...

By : Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus . Date : Monday, 16th March, 2026 ( 27th Ramadan , 1447 AH ). NIGERIA’S President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu , has today directed the nationwide distribution of rice to support citizens observing the Ramadan fast and the Christian Lenten season . The initiative is aimed at easing hardship for vulnerable households while encouraging compassion and solidarity among Nigerians during the ongoing periods of spiritual reflection. According to government officials, the food support programme is expected to reach communities across the country, particularly low-income households facing economic pressure . Authorities say the intervention is part of broader efforts to provide relief while reinforcing the spirit of unity among citizens of different faiths. The presidency noted that both Ramadan and Lent are sacred seasons that emphasize sacrifice, charity, and care for the less privileged, adding that the distribution is intended to reflect those shared values withi...

By : Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus . Date : Sunday, 8th March, 2026 (19th Ramadan, 1447 AH). IN a significant political development, Iranian state media have reported that Mojtaba Khamenei , the second son of Ali Khamenei , has been appointed as the Islamic Republic ’s new Supreme Leader , marking a major transition at the highest level of the country’s leadership. According to reports from official outlets in Iran, the appointment follows deliberations by the powerful Assembly of Experts , the council responsible for selecting the nation’s top religious and political authority. Mojtaba Khamenei, a cleric known to wield considerable influence within Iran’s political and security circles, has long been viewed by analysts as a potential successor. His close connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other key power structures have positioned him as a prominent figure behind the scenes of Iranian politics for years. His elevation to the position of Supreme Leader repres...

Pen Blog Media – Conflict Update Date: Sunday, 8th March, 2026 (19th Ramadan, 1447 AH). TENSIONS between Iran and the combined forces of the United States and Israel have surged, sparking fears of a wider regional conflict. The clash has seen missile strikes , drone attacks , and targeted air raids, with both sides claiming defensive and strategic objectives. Civilians and infrastructure are increasingly caught in the crossfire. Iran claims U.S. and Israeli strikes have hit military sites and weapons facilities, calling the attacks illegal and destabilizing. In response, Tehran has launched missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. bases in the region, warning against further provocations. The United States and Israel insist their actions aim to curb Iran’s military power and prevent threats to their security. Israel highlights concerns over Iran’s missile programs , while Washington stresses the protection of its personnel and allies in the Middle East. Casualties continue to mo...

By — Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus . Pen Blog Media Articles Date Published : Sunday, 8th March, 2026 ( 19th Ramadan, 1447 AH ). ARTIFICIAL intelligence is advancing at a pace few could have imagined a decade ago. Systems that once struggled to produce simple responses are now capable of analyzing complex information, writing code, interpreting images, and assisting with professional tasks. Among the newest innovations in this evolving field is Kimi 2.5 , a powerful AI system that signals a shift toward more collaborative and capable digital assistants. Developed by the Chinese technology company Moonshot AI , Kimi 2.5 has drawn attention in the global technology community for its ability to process different forms of data, manage large volumes of information, and coordinate multiple AI processes simultaneously. As AI competition intensifies worldwide, models like Kimi 2.5 are helping redefine what modern artificial intelligence can accomplish. ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT The emergence o...

By — Pen Blog Media | World Updates Date : Tuesday, 3rd March, 2026 ( 14th Ramadan, 1447 AH ). WASHINGTON, D.C. — UNITED States President, Donald Trump has stated that any opportunity for diplomatic engagement with Iran has passed, despite indications that Tehran may be open to renewed discussions. In a message shared on his social media platform, Truth Social today, Trump asserted that Iran’s military structure had been significantly weakened following recent joint operations involving U.S. and Israeli forces . “Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’” the president wrote, signaling a firm rejection of potential negotiations. The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East , following several days of coordinated air operations targeting strategic sites inside Iran. According to U.S. officials, the strikes were aimed at reducing Iran’s military capabilities and deterring further regional escalation. Earlier...

By — Pen Blog Media | World Affairs Date Published : Monday, 2nd March, 2026 ( 13th Ramadan, 1447 AH ). IRAN has moved to stabilize its leadership following the confirmed death of its Supreme Leader , Ali Khamenei , by activating a constitutional transition mechanism that places the country under interim authority while a permanent successor is selected. State television announced that Khamenei died from injuries sustained during recent military strikes, describing his death as martyrdom and declaring an extended period of national mourning . The announcement marked a sharp shift from earlier denials and ended days of uncertainty surrounding the fate of Iran’s highest authority. CONSTITUTIONAL TRANSITION TAKES EFFECT Soon after the confirmation, Iranian officials disclosed that a temporary leadership arrangement had been formed in line with constitutional provisions governing the death of a supreme leader. The framework transfers the powers of the office to a three-member body unt...