Sultanate Council Calls for Sha’aban Moon Sighting Monday

The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has called on Muslims in Nigeria to observe the sky on Monday, January 19, 2026, for the sighting of the new moon of Sha’aban, 1447 AH.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs under the Sultanate Council and signed by its Chairman, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto.

According to the statement, Monday corresponds to the 29th of Rajab, 1447 AH, which is the appropriate day to begin the search, in accordance with Islamic tradition. The sighting will determine the commencement of the new lunar month of Sha’aban.

The committee has urged the Muslim community to actively participate in the exercise. It requested that any credible sightings be reported promptly through the traditional leadership structure from District or Village Heads for onward communication to the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

Describing the task as a religious responsibility, the committee prayed for divine guidance and a successful moon-sighting process for the Muslim Ummah.