Saudi Arabia declares May 18 as first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
Saudi Arabia has officially declared Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, following the sighting of the crescent moon.
Saudi’s Supreme Court also announced that Standing at Arafat, which marks the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, would take place on Tuesday, May 26.
It said that Eid Al Adha celebrations would be held the following day, Wednesday Mayn 27.
According to a statement by the court, the Crescent Sighting Department of the Supreme Court reached the decision after reviewing testimonies submitted by witnesses regarding the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent.
The court prayed for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, for the services rendered to pilgrims visiting the holy sites.
It also prayed for Allah to grant pilgrims ease and comfort in performing the hajj rites and to preserve the security, stability, and prosperity of Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and president general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also declared Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued by the Wazirin Sokoto and chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council Sokoto, Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The announcement marks the beginning of one of the most significant periods in the Islamic calendar, during which millions of Muslims worldwide perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage and prepare for Eid al-Adha celebrations.
The sultanate council also urged Muslims in Nigeria and beyond to use the sacred month to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, renowned as one of the most sacred periods in Islam.
It is the month of the Hajj pilgrimage and features key spiritual events, including the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Lightning strike kills six people in Adamawa
The police command in Adamawa has confirmed the death of six people following a lightning strike in the Ganye council.
States
Cross River govt exempts women, elderly drivers from vehicle registration, levies
The Cross River government has exempted women in commercial transport and men aged 60 and above from paying vehicle registration and daily operational levies.
Politics
INEC says Osun residents’ PVCs ready for collection ahead of governorship poll
INEC has announced that PVCs of eligible voters who registered or updated their records during the recent CVR exercise in the state are ready for collection.
Sport
13-year-old boy killed as Spaniards celebrate 2026 World Cup win
A 13-year-old boy was killed after the Árbol Gordo fountain collapsed as football fans gathered to celebrate the country’s World Cup win.
States
Gas tanker leak contained in Kaduna: KADSEMA
The executive secretary of KADSEMA, Usman Mazadu, said the agency has contained a compressed gas tanker leak in Kaduna South.
World
Iran War: Three U.S. servicemen killed
Another American service member has been reported killed by fragments of a downed Iranian drone in northern Iraq, raising the number of U.S. troops killed last week to three.
