The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saa’d Abubakar, has officially declared the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan following the sighting of the new crescent moon, setting the stage for Muslims across Nigeria to begin fasting from Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Wazirin Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, who chairs the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council. He explained that the declaration followed confirmed reports from moon-sighting committees across the country.
The Sultan congratulated the Muslim community, praying for Allah’s guidance, mercy, and blessings throughout the 29 or 30 days of fasting, spiritual reflection, charity, and Quranic recitation that Ramadan brings. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
Saudi Arabia Leads with Crescent Moon Confirmation
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court announced late Tuesday that the crescent moon confirming the start of Ramadan 1447 AH was sighted across parts of the Kingdom, officially marking Wednesday, February 18 as the first day of fasting. The announcement follows centuries-old Islamic tradition where moon sighting by credible observers determines the beginning of the lunar month rather than astronomical calculations alone.
Across the Kingdom, mosques have prepared for special nightly Taraweeh prayers to begin on Tuesday after the Isha prayer, ushering in the spiritual month dedicated to dawn-to-sunset fasting, increased worship, charitable giving, and community gatherings. Government agencies and private sectors are set to implement revised work schedules to accommodate Ramadan observances.
While many countries, particularly in the Middle East, have aligned with the Saudi announcement, global observances may vary due to geographical and traditional differences in sighting the new moon. In parts of South Asia – including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh – local committees may determine the first day of Ramadan on Thursday, February 19, 2026, due to timing of the crescent’s visibility.
Islamic communities in Europe and North America also sometimes begin fasting on different days depending on whether local sightings or astronomical calculations are followed, reflecting diverse jurisprudential approaches within the global Muslim community.
Ramadan 2026 Observance Worldwide
Ramadan is expected to last for 29 or 30 days, concluding with the festival of Eid ul-Fitr in late March 2026, depending on the sighting of the next crescent that marks the beginning of Shawwal. Fasting hours vary globally, with daylight periods ranging from about 11½ to 15½ hours depending on latitude and time of year.
Muslims around the world now prepare for a period of devotion that strengthens faith, community bonds, and charitable engagement in this most sacred month of the Islamic year.
