“Sultan Declares Islamic New Year 1448AH as Sokoto Announces Public Holiday”
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as the first day of Muharram 1448AH, marking the commencement of the Islamic New Year.
The announcement follows the sighting and verification of the new moon, in line with Islamic traditions that determine the beginning of the lunar calendar. The declaration signals the start of a new spiritual year for Muslims across Nigeria and around the world, ushering in a period of reflection, prayer, and renewed commitment to faith.
Following the Sultan’s proclamation, the Sokoto State Government announced Tuesday as a public holiday to enable Muslim faithful and residents of the state to commemorate the beginning of the new Islamic year. Authorities encouraged citizens to observe the occasion peacefully and to use the period to pray for unity, security, and national development.
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam and holds significant religious importance. The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, begins with the historic migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. The first month of the calendar is widely observed through prayers, acts of charity, and reflections on the values of sacrifice, perseverance, and community.
Religious leaders across Nigeria have called on Muslims to embrace the new year as an opportunity to strengthen social harmony and contribute positively to national growth. The occasion comes at a time when many communities continue to advocate for peace, stability, and economic progress across the country.
The declaration of Muharram 1448AH aligns Nigeria with other Muslim majority nations and communities worldwide that are marking the beginning of the new Hijri year. Observances vary by region, but the period remains one of the most significant moments on the Islamic religious calendar.
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