Ramadan Countdown Begins: Islamic Leaders Fix February 18 as Start of 2026 Fast
Islamic leaders and scholars under the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland have announced Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the official commencement date for this year’s Ramadan fast.
The decision was made public in a communiqué read to journalists by the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, after the League’s meeting held on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The meeting brought together top Islamic authorities across South-West Nigeria, including the President-General of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere; Chief Imams of Ogun, Osun and Ondo states, as well as other prominent scholars and members of the League’s Board of Trustees.
According to the communiqué, the February 18 date was fixed based on precise astronomical calculations and internationally recognised resolutions on the unification of the Hijri calendar. The League cited decisions from the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee meeting in Istanbul (1978), the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, and global conferences on lunar month determination held in Paris (2012) and Istanbul (2016).
The scholars explained that the astronomical conjunction for Ramadan will occur at 12:01pm UTC on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, corresponding to 1:01pm Nigerian time, thereby making Wednesday, February 18, the first day of fasting.
“The first day of Ramadan 1447 AH, Insha Allah, will be Wednesday, February 18, 2026,” the communiqué stated.
The League further clarified that Ramadan will last 30 days this year. It noted that crescent sighting would not be possible on Wednesday, March 18, identified as the 29th day of Ramadan, while the astronomical conjunction for Shawwal will occur on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 2:23pm Nigerian time.
“Consequently, Ramadan this year shall be completed as 30 days, and fasting shall not end at 29 days,” the scholars concluded.
SOURCE : NaijaRush Assignment Desk
