By Ghazali Ibrahim
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Nigeria, has announced that the first day of Ramadan 1447AH will commence on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The announcement was made in a communiqué issued by the Office of the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, following consultations and resolutions anchored on established Islamic jurisprudence and scientific astronomical calculations.
According to the communiqué, the decision aligns with the resolutions of the United Hijri Calendar Committee, first adopted in Istanbul in 1978, as well as confirmations by the International Fiqh Council and outcomes of several international conferences and scientific symposia on lunar month determination held in cities including Paris and Istanbul.
The League explained that precise astronomical calculations confirmed that the astronomical new moon (conjunction) for Ramadan 1447AH will occur at 12:01 PM Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, which corresponds to 1:01 PM local time in Nigeria and 29th Sha’aban 1447AH. Based on these findings, Ramadan is set to begin the following day.
The communiqué emphasized that Islamic rulings on the commencement of fasting are guided by definitive confirmation, supported by reliable scientific calculations that establish the possibility of crescent sighting. It also noted that differences in moon-sighting locations are not considered under the adopted global standard.
Quoting the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the League urged Muslims to remain united and steadfast in faith, reminding the faithful of the importance of unity, devotion, and righteousness during the holy month.
“We ask Allah Almighty to accept our fasting, prayers, acts of worship, and righteous deeds, and to make this blessed month a source of goodness and blessings for His servants on earth,” the communiqué stated.
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland called on all Muslims to observe the fast in accordance with the announcement and to use the Ramadan period to strengthen faith, promote peace, and foster unity within the Muslim community.
