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Nigeria to Celebrate Eid Friday as Sultan Declares Start of Shawwal
Following the non-sighting of the moon, the Sultan of Sokoto announced Friday, March 20, 2026, as Eid-el-Fitr and called for prayers for national peace and development.
Friday, March 20, 2026, has been officially declared as Eid-el-Fitr day in Nigeria after the Sultanate Council of Sokoto confirmed that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted.
The announcement came via a Wednesday statement from the Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, working alongside the National Moon Sighting Committee.
The committee reported that no credible sightings of the moon were recorded nationwide on Wednesday, March 18, which corresponded to the 29th day of Ramadan.
“Thursday, March 19, 2026, shall therefore be observed as the 30th day of Ramadan 1447AH,” the statement noted, in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar.
Following the report, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar—who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs—approved the declaration.
“His Eminence has accepted the report and accordingly declared Friday, 20th March 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH,” the statement read.
The Sultan extended his congratulations to the Muslim Ummah for successfully completing Ramadan and urged continued commitment to faith and good deeds. He also called on citizens to offer prayers for peace, unity, and progress in the country.
The declaration aligns Muslims across Nigeria on a common date for Eid-el-Fitr and reflects the centralized moon-sighting system led by the Sultanate.
The statement was signed by Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs.
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