Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has confirmed that the crescent signalling the start of Ramadan 2026 has been sighted.
Sambo Junaidu, chairman of the sultane council’s advisory committee on religious affairs, said in a statement on Tuesday that the leader of Muslims in Nigeria received verified moon sighting reports from various parts of the country, which were carefully authenticated.
NAN reports that the sultan said Muslims across the country will begin the Ramadan fast on Wednesday, February 18.
“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee received reports from various Moonsighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH, on Tuesday,” the statement reads.
“The Sultan has accepted the reports and accordingly declared Wednesday, Feb. 18, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH.”
Abubakar urged Muslims to dedicate themselves fully to acts of worship and devotion during the holy month.
He encouraged Nigerians to use the Ramadan period to pray for the progress, peace and prosperity of the country, adding that prayer for the nation’s leaders too was equally important to national growth.
The Sultan emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence among Muslims and called on wealthy individuals to support the needy and less privileged, making it easier for them to observe the fast.
He prayed for God’s guidance and wisdom for the country’s leaders as they navigate the affairs of the nation.
Fasting during Ramadan, which lasts for 29 or 30 days, is one of the five pillars of Islam and a compulsory religious obligation for all adult Muslims.
