The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced that Sunday, May 21, will mark the beginning of Dhul-Qadah 1444AH.
The announcement was made in an official statement released on Saturday by Prof Sambo Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs at the Sultanate Council of Sokoto.
The statement said that the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee, received no confirmed reports of the sighting of the crescent of Dhul-Qadah 1444AH on Friday.
Consequently, Saturday, May 20, was deemed the 30th day of Shawwal 1444AH based on the report accepted by the Sultan.
Hence, Sunday, May 21, has been officially declared as the first day of Dhul-Qadah 1444AH.
Dhul-Qadah, one of the four sacred months in Islam, is recognized as the 11th month on the Islamic calendar and precedes the month of Dhul-Hijjah.
The month of Dhul-Qadah is a time for Muslims to prepare for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
It is also a time for Muslims to spend time with their families and friends, and to give charity to those in need.
