SULTAN DECLARES SUNDAY AS START OF DHUL QA’DAH AFTER MOON SIGHTING REPORTS

By— Pen Blog Media
Date: Saturday, 18th April, 2026 | Shawwāl 30th, 1447 AH.


















THE Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially declared Sunday, April 19, 2026, as the first day of Dhul Qa’dah 1447AH, following the non-sighting of the crescent moon for Shawwāl on Friday across Nigeria.

The announcement was made after consultations with the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee, which gathered and reviewed reports from various observation points nationwide.

According to the Council, no verified sighting of the new crescent was recorded on the 29th day of Shawwāl, prompting the completion of the month as 30 days in line with Islamic tradition.

Based on this, the Sultan approved Sunday as the commencement of Dhul Qa’dah, the eleventh month in the Islamic lunar calendar, making Saturday (today) the last day of Shawwāl.

The Sultan, who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, urged Muslims across the country to continue offering prayers for national peace, unity, and stability.

Dhul Qa’dah is one of the sacred months in Islam during which warfare is traditionally prohibited, and it precedes Dhul Hijjah—the month of Hajj pilgrimage.

Muslims are advised to take note of the new date and align their religious activities accordingly.

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