Abuja, Nigeria - The beginning of the new Islamic year, 1431 AH, coincided with Thursday, 17th December, 2009, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, said yesterday.
A statement issued by the Acting Secretary of the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Alhaji Aminu Dan Malam said Sultan Abubakar congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the beginning of the New Year and urged Nigerian Muslims to offer special prayers at today's J'umah service for the speedy recovery of ailing President Umaru Musa Yar'adua.
The Sultan prayed the Almighty Allah to "continue to guide and unite us in the progress and development of our dear country Nigeria".