The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has declared Tuesday August 10, 2021, as the first day of Muharram 1443.
This was disclosed in a press release signed by the Council’s Director of Administration, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, on Sunday August 8, 2021.
According to the release, the declaration came after a careful consideration of the report of the National Moon Sighting Committee by the President-General of the NSCIA, Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni.
“His Eminence, wishes all Muslims a happy new Hijri year,” the release reads.
The Islamic New Year, also known as the Hijri New Year, is the day that marks the beginning of the new Muslim lunar calendar.
The Islamic calendar consists of 12 months and 354 or 355 days, it is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. It commences with Muharram, the second holiest month after Ramadan, and ends with Dhul al-Hijjah.
The Islamic calendar is based on a lunar cycle, unlike the Gregorian calendar. A month lasts for 29 or 30 days in this calendar, depending on the moon sighting. A new month begins when the new moon is sighted on the 29th day of the ongoing month. If it is not sighted on 29th, the ongoing month completes 30 days, and a new month starts the next day.
All religious commemorations, such as fasting in the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Hajj pilgrimage, and the dates of significant events, are calculated according to the Islamic calendar.
