Ramadan: Sultan Announces Friday as First Day of Sha’aban Following Moon Sighting Reports

The Sultan has declared Friday as the first day of Sha’aban after confirming moon sighting reports, marking the countdown to Ramadan. 

The Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee, announced that they did not sight the crescent moon indicating the start of Sha’aban 1446AH.

Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, confirmed that committees nationwide did not receive any verified reports of moon sightings.

Therefore, Thursday, January 30, 2025, is recognized as the 30th day of Rajab in the year 1446 AH.

Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, His Eminence and the Sultan of Sokoto as well as President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has accepted the report and formally announced that Friday, January 31, 2025, will be recognized as the first day of Sha’aban 1446AH.

The council highlighted Sha’aban as the month leading up to Ramadan and urged Muslims to depend on official announcements for Islamic calendar dates while spiritually readying themselves for the sacred month.