The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III has declared Sunday, July 11, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, 1442AH.
Abubakar made the declaration in a statement issued on Friday, July 9, signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
In a copy of the statement received by Muslim News, it reads, “His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has declared Sunday 11th July, 2021, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah, 1442AH.”
No sight of new Crescent
The National Moon Sighting Committee – NMSC of NSCIA said on its social media handles that there was no sighting of the new crescent anywhere in Nigeria on Saturday, the 30th of Dhul Qaddah, thereby declaring that in line with the earlier declaration, Sunday, July 11, is first Day of Dhul Hijjah.
Going by this declaration, Day of Arafah, the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, which marks the climax of Hajj exercise in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia would be observed on Monday, 19 July 2021, while Eid-ul-Adha would be celebrated in Nigeria and across the world on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
Felicitation
His Eminence, the Sultan therefore felicitates with the Nigeria 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 Eid-ul-Kabir. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds, ameen.
