The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia don officially announce say Thursday, June 26, 2025, go be the first day of Muharram, meaning say we don enter the new Islamic Year 1447 AH. Dem sighted the crescent moon on Wednesday night, as usual, dem no fit just wake up call Imam for matter like this o (we don see how them dey take shine their eye). The court don drop their confirmation for everybody wey get ear to hear, and even King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman no comot mouth for the prayers.
The announcement come via Saudi Press Agency wey share am with style. E mention say @HaramainInfo, the official X (formerly Twitter) account for the Two Holy Mosques, don also announce say: “1st Muharram 1447 – Thursday, 26 June 2025. Crescent for the new Islamic year dey shine this evening. New Hijri year go start tomorrow.” Chai! If person fit just confirm moon sighting like that, e mean say dem dey serious for their religious matter.
For Naija, as dem no wan miss the action, the National Moonsighting Committee, wey be the official wing of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), don also announce the confirmed date, alerting the whole country say, “His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto don declare Thursday, 26/6/2025 as 1st Muharram 1447 AH. The crescent for the new Islamic year and the month of Muharram don clearly show today.” No wahala wey the Sultans dey carry them heads like that!
Now, make we yarn about Ashura for small: e go fall on Saturday, July 5, 2025. This day no be just ordinary day o! E mean plenty for Muslims worldwide as dem go fast and reflect. According to PUNCH Online reports, Hijri calendar start for 622 CE when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) come carry the hot leg from Makkah to Madinah. Na there e start to count with twelve months, and each month dey start only when dem fit confirm the new crescent moon. Muharram na the first month, wey dey sacred and during dis time na war no dey allowed.
The 10th of Muharram – wey dem dey call Ashura – follow plenty historical events, including salvation of Prophet Musa (Moses) and him followers from Pharaoh. For many Muslims, na the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, wey be the grandson of Prophet Muhammad from Karbala na him wey dey make Ashura full of significance. As dem dey recommend make we fast either the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th for extra blessing – this year, make we dey ready to tighten our belts once again.
The Islamic calendar no dey follow Gregorian solar calendar wey dey run like a fine car on the road; rather, the lunar months dey shorter by about 10–12 days each year. So, dey prepare your mind, because new Hijri year 1447 AH dey come and we go start am on Thursday, June 26, 2025, wey dey match up with 1st Muharram. We dey observe am with plenty prayer and reflection, and hope say it go bring plenty blessings for everybody. Cheers to new beginnings!
