Ramadan 2026 to Begin Wednesday, February 18 — League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has officially announced that the holy month of Ramadan 1447AH will commence on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, across Nigeria.
The announcement was contained in a communiqué released by the Office of the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, following confirmed astronomical and Shari’ah-based assessments regarding the sighting of the crescent moon.
According to the statement, the decision was reached after verifying that the astronomical conjunction (new moon) for Ramadan would occur on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 1:01pm Nigerian local time, prior to sunset. The League further noted that the moon would set after sunset across Nigeria, remaining above the horizon for approximately 12 minutes, making crescent visibility possible the following evening.
“With these conditions fulfilled, the crescent shall be visible on the evening of Wednesday, 18th February 2026 across Nigeria, In shā’ Allah. Consequently, Wednesday, 18th February 2026, is confirmed as the first day of Ramadan,” the communiqué stated.
The League also clarified that Ramadan will be completed as 30 days, stressing that fasting will not end at 29 days this year. It explained that the astronomical conjunction for the month of Shawwāl would occur on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 2:23pm, making any claim of crescent sighting on March 18 impossible.
“There shall be no possibility of crescent sighting on the evening of 18th March 2026, as astronomical conjunction will not yet have occurred,” the statement said.
“Any claim of crescent sighting before conjunction is therefore astronomically, Islamically and scientifically erroneous and should be disregarded.”
Reaffirming its long-standing methodology, the League emphasized that it relies on astronomical calculation, verified moon sighting, or the completion of 30 days as valid Islamic means for determining the beginning of lunar months.
“This methodology has been consistently adopted by the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland for nearly five decades and has remained a pillar of unity, consistency, and religious harmony among Muslims in Southwest Nigeria,” the communiqué added.
The League called on Muslims to remain united and uphold the spirit of Ramadan, quoting the Qur’an:
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided” (Qur’an 3:103).
The statement concluded with prayers for acceptance of fasting and acts of worship, and for peace and unity within the Muslim Ummah.
The communiqué was signed by the Office of the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Ibadan, Oyo State.
