Sultan Of Sokoto Declares Tuesday First Day Of Muharram [Islamic New Year]

Following the non-sighting of the crescent of Muharram on Sunday, the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA), and Sultan of Sokoto,/Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has declared Tuesday, the 10th of August, 2021 as the 1st day of Muharram, 1443 After Hijrah.

This is contained in a statement signed by the NSCIA’s Director of Administration, Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu.

According to the statement, the decision was taken after considering the report of the Moon Sighting Committee.

It was gathered that cloudy weather and the rains experienced in most parts of the country on Sunday were some of the factors that hindered the sighting of the new crescent.

Part of the statement read:

“His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, after considering the report of the Moon Sighting Committee, has declared Tuesday, 10th of August, 2021 as the 1st day of Muharram, 1443 AH”.

The Sultan in the statement wished all Muslims faithful a happy New Hijri Year.

This is coming after most state governments in the northern part of the country had declared Monday, the 9th of August, 2021 as a work free day for Muslims civil servants and other citizens to commemorate the New Islamic Year.