The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has said that Friday, March 20, 2026, will be the first day of Shawwal 1447AH. This is because the crescent moon that marks the end of Ramadan was not seen.
The declaration, which was signed by Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, and the National Moon Sighting Committee, Nigeria, made the announcement.
The statement says that there were no credible reports from anywhere in the country verifying that the Shawwal moon was seen on Wednesday, March 18, which was the 29th day of Ramadan.
He said that the 30th day of Ramadan 1447AH would be Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, also agreed that Friday should be the day of Eid-el-Fitr.
He told Muslims congratulations on finishing Ramadan and asked them to keep praying for the country’s growth and unity.
The Sultan’s announcement came after the Nigerian Federal Government made Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, official holidays to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government on Tuesday. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, signed the statement. The Minister of Interior sent warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
According to a statement from official media, Saudi Arabia has already said that the Eid al-Fitr festival, which marks the conclusion of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, will start tomorrow.
The Saudi Press Agency said, “The Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Thursday, is the end of the 30th day of Ramadan, and Friday is the day of the Blessed Eid al-Fitr.”
The Muslim lunar calendar says that the celebration, which commemorates the conclusion of the fasting month of Ramadan, happens when the crescent moon is seen.
One of the five pillars of Islam is the Ramadan fast, which means that Muslims can’t eat, drink, smoke, or be intimate throughout the day.
Muslims who follow the rules are also encouraged to give to the impoverished.
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