Islamic New Year begins: Sultan declares Sunday 1st day of Muharram 1441 AH
Muslim pilgrims perform the final walk (Tawaf al-Wadaa) around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Mecca on November 30, 2009. The annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage to Mecca wound up without the feared mass outbreak of swine flu, Saudi authorities said, reporting a total of five deaths and 73 proven cases. AFP PHOTO/MAHMUD HAMS (Photo credit should read MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Sept. 1 as the first day of Muharram 1441AH.
Abubakar made the declaration in a statement issued on Saturday in Sokoto by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council.
The declaration of the moon will usher in the Islamic New Year.
The first month, Muharram, is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Holy Quran.
The other months are the seventh month, Rajab, the 11th month, Dhu al-Qi’dah and the 12th month, Dhu al-Hijjah.
“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in conjunction with the National moon sighting committee, did not receive any report confirming the sighting of the moon of Muharram 1441 AH.
“The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has accepted the report and accordingly declared Sunday, Sept. 1, as the first day of Muharram 1441 AH.”
The Sultan had, on Thursday, directed Muslim Ummah to look for the new moon of Muharram from Friday.NAN