As Ramadan 1447AH comes to an end and Eid celebrations begin, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, proclaimed the start of the quest for the Shawwal crescent.
According to Naija News, the Sultan made the request in a statement released by the Sultanate Council, Sokoto. The Sultan is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
The worldwide moon sighting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, which is the 29th day of Ramadan 1447AH, according to a statement signed by Wazirin Sokoto and Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs.
On that day, Muslims were asked to keep an eye out for the new crescent and to report any reliable sightings right once.
The announcement states that anyone who notices the crescent should report it to the head of the closest village or district, who will then forward the information to the Sultan for official declaration and confirmation.
The Sultanate Council established special phone lines for direct transmission of confirmed sightings in order to guarantee smooth cooperation.
0803 715 7100, 0806 630 3077, 0803 596 5322, 0803 594 5903, and 0706 714 6900 are some of the numbers.
The declaration is in line with the long-standing Islamic custom that the start of Eid al-Fitr and the end of the Ramadan fast are determined by the sighting of the Shawwal crescent.
