The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has called on Muslim faithful across Nigeria to search for the new crescent moon marking the commencement of Jumada Assaniya 1448AH on Monday, November 9, 2026.
​The directive was issued in an official statement on Sunday, November 8, 2026, by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council.
According to the advisory committee, Monday corresponds to the 29th day of Jumada al-Ula 1448AH, establishing it as the official date for the nationwide moon-sighting exercise.
​Muslims across the country are expected to observe the sky for the new crescent immediately after sunset on Monday evening. Anyone who successfully sights the moon has been instructed to report the observation to local traditional authorities, specifically through their nearest District or Village Head.
​These local leaders will then transmit confirmed sightings directly to the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, who holds the final authority to issue an official declaration for the country.
​Closing the announcement, Professor Junaidu urged the Muslim Ummah to seek Allah’s guidance and blessings as they perform this religious duty. Jumada Assaniya, also known as Jumada al-Thani or Jumada al-Akhirah, is the sixth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
