The Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the first day of Ramadan.
He claimed that the crescent moon was sighted in practically every section of the country on Tuesday, the 29th day of Sha’aban, indicating that Wednesday, February 18, is the first day of Ramadan 1447.
According to a press statement made available to journalists in Sokoto on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, Sultan Abubakar “called on the entire Muslim community in the country to commence the fast on Wednesday in accordance with the teachings of Islam.”
He said the council has received reports of the moon sighting from various Islamic leaders across the country, which marks the start of the Ramadan fast on Wednesday.
He “urged Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray against the insecurity ravaging some parts of the country.”
He also encouraged Muslims around the country to use the month to continue praying for the leaders and an end to the country’s insecurity.
Saudi Arabia had sighted the crescent moon and consequently declared Wednesday as the first day of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
