Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared Monday, May 18, 2026, as the first day of Zul-hijjah 1447AH.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Sultanate Council Sokoto and signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sambo Wali Junaidu.

According to the statement, the Sultan officially announced the commencement of the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred period during which Muslims across the world perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage and prepare for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Read Also:

Saudi Arabia Announces 2026 Hajj and Eid al-Adha Dates

The Sultanate Council called on Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe to use the holy month for prayers, sacrifice, and charitable acts aimed at promoting peace, unity, and national progress.

The council also urged Muslim faithful to uphold the teachings and values of Islam while continuing to pray for stability, harmony, and development in the country.

Zulhijjah remains one of the most significant months in Islam, particularly because it includes the Hajj pilgrimage and the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, observed by millions of Muslims worldwide.