Muslim Faithful Look Up to Allah as Ramadan Begins Wednesday February 18 __ League of Imams Prepares for Taraweeh
Islamic leaders and scholars under the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland have declared Wednesday, 18 February 2026, as the first day of Ramadan.
The announcement was made in a communique read by the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, at the end of the League’s meeting in Ibadan on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by prominent Islamic figures, including the League’s President General, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello; Chief Imams of Ibadan, Ogun, and Osun States—Sheikhs AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, Saadulah Bamgbola, and Musa Rabiu Animasahun respectively; Grand Chief Imam of Ondo State, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede; and other leaders from Lagos State and the six South-Western states.
The League said the decision is based on scientific lunar calculations and longstanding resolutions of international Islamic bodies.
These include the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul in 1978, the International Conference on the Confirmation of Lunar Months, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, and the International Conference on the Unification of the Hijrah Calendar held in Istanbul in 2016.
According to the communique, precise astronomical calculations show that the conjunction (new moon) of Ramadan 1447AH will occur at 12:01 PM UTC on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, corresponding to 1:01 PM local time in Nigeria.
The League further clarified that Ramadan will last 30 days this year, as the conjunction for the month of Shawwāl is expected on Thursday, 19 March 2026.
There will be no possibility of sighting the crescent moon on the evening of 18 March, confirming the full 30-day fasting period.
“The first day of Ramadan 1447AH, Insha Allah, will be Wednesday, 18 February 2026,” the communique stated.
Muslim Faithful Look Up to Allah as Ramadan Begins Wednesday February 18 __ League of Imams Prepares for Taraweeh
Byadmin
Feb 5, 2026