Countdown to Ramadan: Sultan declares Friday first day of Sha’aban

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Friday, January 31, 2025, as the first day of Sha’aban 1446 AH. This is contained in a statement signed by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Council on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council and the Waziri of Sokoto. The statement said […]

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Friday, January 31, 2025, as the first day of Sha’aban 1446 AH.

This is contained in a statement signed by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Council on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council and the Waziri of Sokoto.

The statement said the announcement followed the recommendations from the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs and the National Moon Sighting Committee, which confirmed that no reports of moon sightings were received from committees across the country on Wednesday, 29th Rajab 1446 AH.

As a result, the month of Sha’aban will be completed in 30 days, ending on Thursday, January 30.

Earlier, the Sultan had instructed Muslims to look for the new moon of Sha’aban on Wednesday, but no sightings were reported.

With this declaration, Ramadan fasting is set to begin in 30 days if the crescent is sighted on the 29th of Sha’aban, corresponding to February 28.

However, if Sha’aban completes 30 days, Ramadan will commence on March 1.

Sha’aban is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar, preceding Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month observed by Muslims worldwide.