- Saturday, August 23, 2025, which corresponds to the 29th of Safar 1447 AH, has been declared as the date for the sighting of the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447 AH
- Prof. Sambo Junaidu, chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs of the Sultanate Council, announced this in a statement issued on Friday, August 22
- The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, also issued a fresh directive to Muslims across the country
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The Sultanate Council led by Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has announced that Saturday, August 23, 2025, which corresponds to the 29th day of Safar 1447 AH, will be the day set aside for the sighting of the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447 AH.
Photo credit: The Sultanate Council
Source: UGC
Rabi’ul Awwal 2025: Muslims told to look out for new moon on Saturday
The chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs of the Sultanate Council, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, who is also the Wazirin Sokoto, confirmed this in a statement issued on Friday, August 22.
As reported by The Punch, he called on Muslims across the country to actively participate in the moon sighting exercise.
“Muslims are requested to look out for the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal on Saturday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,” the statement read.
Photo credit: PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images
The Council further emphasized the importance of collective effort in fulfilling this religious duty, which determines the commencement of Rabi’ul Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, widely revered as the month of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Prof. Junaidu prayed for Allah’s guidance in the discharge of this religious responsibility, saying, “May Allah (SWT) help us in this duty.”
Rabi’ul Awwal: Prophet Muhammad’s birth
According to Islamic Relief UK, the blessed month of Rabi’ Al-Awwal is an important month in the Islamic Calendar as it marks the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Sultan announces 1st of Zul Hijjah 1446
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, declared Wednesday, May 28, the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1446 AH.
A statement by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) said the sighting of the crescent of the moon put the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Dhul-Hijjah is considered a sacred month and a time of heightened devotion, reflection, and acts of worship.
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Sultan announces sighting of Shawwal Crescent
In another development, Legit.ng reported that the crescent moon has been sighted on Saturday, March 29, 2025, indicating the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and leader of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), announced on Saturday and declared Sunday as Eid-el-Fitr.
A member of the National Moonsighting Committee in Nigeria, Simwal, also confirmed the development hours after Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of a new moon.
Source: Legit.ng