The President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Tuesday, August 10, 2021 as the first day of Muharram 1, 1443.
NSCIA’s Director of Administration Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu said this in a statement on Sunday.
He said the Sultan made the declaration after considering the report of the National Moon Sighting Committee indicating non-sighting of the crescent on Sunday.
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Earlier, the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee said they did not receive any report from various Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the New Moon of Muharram 1443 AH, on Sunday, 8h August,
2021 which was the 29th day of Zulhija 1442 AH.
“Therefore, Monday, 9th August, 2021 will be 30th Zulhijja1442AH. His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, the
Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Afairs (NSCIA) has accepted the report and accordingly declared Tuesday 10th August, 2021 as the first day of Muharram 1443 AH.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigeria Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. The Sultan while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of Country, he wishes all Muslims a happy New Year,” Prof Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, said in a statement.
Dateline Nigeria reports that Kano, Yobe and Osun states have declared Monday public holiday to mark the beginning of the Islamic calender, while Oyo State declared Tuesday as work-free.
