The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has officially declared the sighting of the new moon, marking the beginning of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH and establishing Monday, August 25, 2025, as the first day of the Islamic month. The announcement came through a press release issued by the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon sighting Committee, following reports from various moon sighting committees across Nigeria.
His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), made the declaration after confirming the crescent moon was spotted on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The sighting corresponds to the 29th of Safar 1447AH, with Sunday, August 24, 2025, marking the 30th day of Safar before the new month begins.
The announcement was signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto, and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs for the Sultanate Council. The declaration follows established Islamic traditions for lunar calendar determination, where the new month begins upon the verified sighting of the crescent moon by reliable witnesses. Rabi’ul Awwal holds particular significance in the Islamic calendar as the month celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, making this announcement especially important for Nigeria’s Muslim community in planning religious observances and festivities associated with the holy month.
