The Sultanate Council Sokoto has announced Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, following the non-sighting of the crescent that signals the end of Ramadan.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee Nigeria.
The statement said no credible reports were received from across the country confirming the sighting of the Shawwal moon on Wednesday, March 18, which marked the 29th day of Ramadan.
“Therefore, Thursday, March 19, 2026, shall be the 30th day of Ramadan 1447AH,” the committee stated.
Based on the report, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, approved the declaration of Friday as the day for Eid-el-Fitr.
“His Eminence has accepted the report and accordingly declared Friday, 20th March 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH (Day of Eid-el-Fitr),” the statement read.
The Sultan congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan and called for sustained prayers for national unity and development.
“He urges the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country,” the statement added, while also wishing Muslims Allah’s guidance and blessings.
The Islamic calendar is based on lunar observations, with the end of Ramadan determined by the sighting of the new crescent. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, oversees the coordination of moon sighting reports through committees nationwide to ensure a uniform decision.
Where the crescent is not sighted on the 29th day, Ramadan is completed as 30 days, and Eid-el-Fitr is observed the following day.
The statement was signed by Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
