Sultan Of Sokoto Declares Wednesday First Day Of Islamic New Year

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Wednesday, July 19, 2023, as the first day of MUHARRAM 1445H, which is equivalent to the 29th of Dhul hijja, 1444 AH.

The monarch stated this in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Secretary of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council Sokoto, Yahaya Muhammad Boyi.

Boyi stated that the Sultanate Council announced the decision due to the lack of positive sighting reports of the crescent in Nigeria.

Recall that the Sultan had asked Muslims in the country to look out for the new moon of Muharram 1445 AH on Monday, July 17 and report to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to him.

Naija News understands that Muharram is the first month in the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran.

In the month of Muharram, warfare is forbidden in Islam as Muslim faithfuls believe that their devotion during the sacred month attracts reward from Allah.