Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day for the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr across Nigeria, following the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent.
The Sultan, in a statement by the Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, on Wednesday, said the new moon of Shawwal 1447AH was not sighted on March 18, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan.
According to the statement, no verified reports of the crescent were received from moon-sighting committees across the country.
“In accordance with Islamic injunctions as derived from the Qur’an and Hadith, when the new moon is not sighted on the 29th day of the lunar month, Muslims are required to complete 30 days of fasting,” the statement noted.
Consequently, Thursday, March 19, 2026, will be observed as the 30th day of Ramadan, with Eid-el-Fitr marked the following day.
The Sultan accepted the report of the National Moon Sighting Committee and formally declared Friday as the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH, signalling the end of the Ramadan fast.
He congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of Ramadan and urged continued prayers for peace, unity, and national development.
The Sultan also prayed for the acceptance of the عبادات (acts of worship) performed during the holy month and wished Muslims a joyous Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
