The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared the sighting of the new moon, signalling the commencement of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH on Monday, August 25, 2025.
In a statement on Saturday, the Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambo Junaidu, conveyed the Sultan’s directive, urging Muslims across the country to observe the new lunar month in line with Islamic tradition.
Professor Junaidu said the declaration followed reports from the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon sighting Committee, which confirmed that no sighting of the new crescent was received from Moon sighting Committees across the Country on Saturday, 23rd August, 2025, corresponding to 29th Safar 1447AH.
Read also:FAAC: FG, States, LGs share N2trn July revenue
He explained that Sunday, 24th August, 2025, would therefore be the 30th Day of Safar, thereby making Monday the First Day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has accepted the report, and accordingly declared Monday, 25″ August, 2025 as the first day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH,” the statement cited by PUNCH Online on Sunday read.






