The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced that the moon signalling the beginning of Shawwal has not been sighted in Nigeria.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee.
The statement was signed by Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and chairman of the committee.
The development means that Friday, March 20, 2026, will be observed as Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has accepted the report and accordingly declared Friday, 30th March 2926 as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH. (Day of Eid-El-Fitri),” the statement reads.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. The Sultan while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the Country, also wishes all Muslims a happy El-El-Fitri. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds.”
The announcement followed reports submitted by various moon-sighting committees across the country.
The federal government had earlier announced Thursday and Friday as public holidays to celebrate the eid-fiitr
