ABUJA, Nigeria — The Sultanate Council has called on Muslims across Nigeria to look out for the new moon marking the beginning of Rabiul Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.
The council urged Muslim faithful to observe the crescent on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and promptly report any confirmed sighting to the appropriate authorities.
The directive is part of the Islamic tradition of determining the beginning of a new lunar month through the sighting of the crescent moon. Muslim communities across the country are therefore expected to make efforts to observe the sky after sunset on the designated day.
The Sultanate Council appealed to anyone who sights the new moon to report the observation through the channels provided by the authorities. Such reports will be assessed as part of the process of establishing the official commencement of Rabiul Awwal.
Rabiul Awwal holds particular significance in the Islamic calendar and is widely observed by Muslims in Nigeria and around the world. The month is associated with important events in Islamic history and is marked by various religious activities and commemorations.
The council’s announcement is expected to guide Muslim communities, religious institutions and organisations in planning activities for the new Islamic month.
Muslim faithful were encouraged to approach the moon-sighting exercise with sincerity and responsibility, particularly because accurate confirmation of the crescent is important to the observance of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The announcement also highlights the continuing role of traditional Islamic authorities in coordinating religious affairs and communicating official dates to Muslim communities across Nigeria.
The Sultanate Council urged Muslims to cooperate with the authorities by providing credible information whenever the crescent is sighted.
Further announcements are expected after reports from different parts of the country have been received and verified by the appropriate religious authorities.
