SULTANATE COUNCIL DIRECTS NIGERIAN MUSLIMS TO OBSERVE DHUL-HIJJAH CRESCENT TODAY

By— Pen Blog Media.
Date: Sunday, 17th May, 2026 | 29th Dhul Qa’dah, 1447 AH.

















THE Sultanate Council in Sokoto has appealed to Muslims throughout Nigeria to participate in the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah 1447AH, ahead of the forthcoming Eid al-Adha celebration.

This directive was contained in an official statement released on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from the Sultan’s Palace in Sokoto and endorsed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council Sokoto.

According to the announcement, Sunday, May 17, 2026 — corresponding to the 29th day of Zulki’ida 1447AH — has been fixed as the day designated for the moon sighting exercise.

The Council encouraged Muslims who successfully sight the new crescent to promptly communicate the information through their nearest District Heads or Village Heads for onward transmission to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who also serves as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

Part of the statement noted that the exercise is an important religious obligation observed annually by Muslims to determine the commencement of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

Dhul-Hijjah holds special importance in Islam as it contains the period of Hajj pilgrimage and the celebration of Eid al-Adha, one of the major Islamic festivals observed worldwide.

The Sultanate Council further prayed for Allah’s guidance and support for Muslims in carrying out the spiritual responsibility attached to the moon sighting process.

Several Nigerian news organisations have also reported the development, confirming the Sultanate Council’s announcement regarding the commencement of the Dhul-Hijjah moon observation across the country.

If the crescent is officially confirmed after sunset on Sunday, May 17, then Monday, May 18, 2026, is expected to become the first day of Dhul-Hijjah 1447AH. Consequently, the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha celebrations would follow according to the Islamic calendar, subject to final declaration by the Sultanate Council.

Nigerian Muslims are therefore advised to await the official confirmation from the Sultan of Sokoto after reports from various moon sighting committees and traditional authorities nationwide are carefully verified.

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