Pen Blog Media

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. ...