Look out for new moon – Sultan tells Muslims

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III on Friday urged Muslims across the country to be on the lookout for the new moon.

The directive by the Sultan was made public by the Sultanate Council in Sokoto.

According to the Sultanate, Saturday, August 23, 2025, corresponds to the 29th day of Safar 1447 AH.

The sultanate also said that it will be the day set aside for the sighting of the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447 AH.

Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council urged 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.

He highlighted the importance of collective effort in fulfilling this religious duty.

This he said 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).