The Sa’ad Abubakar III has announced that Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marks the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The monarch made the declaration after confirming that the crescent moon was observed in several parts of Nigeria on Tuesday, the 29th day of Sha’aban. The sighting officially signals that Wednesday, February 18, 2026, corresponds to the first day of Ramadan 1447 in the Islamic calendar.
In a statement issued in Sokoto and signed by Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, who chairs the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, the Sultan “called on the entire Muslim community in the country to commence the fast on Wednesday in accordance with the teachings of Islam.”
He explained that the Sultanate Council received confirmations of the moon’s appearance from various Islamic leaders across the country, thereby affirming the start of the fasting period on Wednesday.
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The Sultan further “urged Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray against the insecurity ravaging some parts of the country.”
He also encouraged the faithful to dedicate the sacred period to prayers for national leaders and for lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
Earlier on Tuesday, News Round The Clock reported that Saudi Arabia had also confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon and announced Wednesday as the first day of fasting for Ramadan.
