Ramadan crescent sighted in Nigeria, fasting begins wednesday — Sultanate

Following the sighting of the crescent moon, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has announced Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Sultan of Sokoto and NSCIA President, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, made the official proclamation during a broadcast on Tuesday evening while he enjoined Muslims to use the sacred period for spiritual reflection and to support the less fortunate.

The announcement followed the sighting of the crescent moon in a multiple locations in Nigeria, according to the National Moon sighting Committee.

“The Sultan felicitates with the entire Muslim community on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1447AH Ramadan Fast,” a statement by the Sultan added.

He prayed that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.

Earlier, the Ramadan crescent (moon) was sighted in Saudi Arabia and other countries around the world.

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Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month for fasting, prayer, reflection and assisting the needy.

Throughout the month, observing Muslims are expected to fast from just before the sunrise prayer, Fajr, to the sunset prayer, Maghrib.

The fast entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations to achieve greater “taqwa”, or consciousness of Allah.

“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness,” Qur’an 2:183 stipulates.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, five daily prayers, charity, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca – the site of Islam’s holiest shrine, the Kaaba – if physically and financially capable.

During the period, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days – depending on when a new crescent is sighted.