The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as the first day of Sha’aban 1447AH.
The announcement was contained in a statement released on Monday, January 19, 2026, by the Wazirin Sokoto, who also serves as Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
According to the statement, Monday marked the 29th day of Rajab 1447AH, which, in line with Islamic tradition, is the designated day for sighting the crescent moon that determines the beginning of the month of Sha’aban.
Gossip News Now reports that Sha’aban is the eighth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and comes immediately before the holy month of Ramadan.
During the 29 or 30 days of Sha’aban, Muslims are encouraged to engage in increased spiritual preparation ahead of the Ramadan fast.
Sultan Speaks on Sharia and Religious Tolerance
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto recently reiterated that it is inappropriate to subject Christians to Sharia law, stressing that Islamic law applies strictly to Muslims.
He made the remarks at the opening of the 2025 triennial meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) held in Abuja. The meeting was themed, “Collaboration of Inter-Religious Council with Government to Promote Peace in Nigeria.”
The Sultan noted that Nigeria is a multi-religious nation rather than a secular one and emphasized that the government has not adopted either Islam or Christianity as a state religion. Instead, he said, both faiths receive equal recognition and support.
He further stated that Sharia law would never be imposed on non-Muslims, adding that Christians should not be compelled to dress, worship, or live according to Islamic practices.
Emphasising that Sharia is exclusively for Muslims, the Sultan explained that Nigeria’s diversity makes it fundamentally a multi-religious society, requiring mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths.
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