Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has announced Wednesday, June 28 as Eid Ul Adha festival.

Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar said this in a statement issued by the National Moonsighting Committee, declaring Monday, June 19 as the first day of Dhul-Hijjah 1444 AH.

He wished the Muslim in Nigeria a wonderful celebration ahead.

“The Sultanate Council Sokoto has declared Monday 19/June/2023 as the first day of Zul-Hijjah 1444 AH. Accordingly Wednesday 28/June/2023 will be the day of Eidul Adha 1444 AH. His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, wishes the entire Muslim Ummah happy Eidul Adha Mubarak in advance.”  The statement said.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced that no fewer than 1.2 million pilgrims have arrived in the holy land of Makkah for the 2023 Hajj.

Haramain Sharifain, the official Facebook page of the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, both in Saudi Arabia, confirmed the number of the pilgrims who have arrived in the country.

The number is expected to swell with time as more pilgrims are expected to arrive before the country’s airports and seaports are officially closed.

Hajj, the yearly pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca, takes place during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

The day of Arafat is the most significant among the days that pilgrims will spend in the Kingdom.

Arafat Day holds religious significance in the Islamic calendar and is a day of reflection and prayer.

Muslim pilgrims participating in the Hajj congregate on the fields of Arafat, just outside Mecca, on the Day of Arafat.

While the festival is celebrated on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, the exact date varies from year to year and is determined by the appearance of the new moon.