By SULEIMAN SHEHU

Islamic clerics in the South-West Nigeria, under the aegis of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, have announced Feb. 18 as date for the start of the 2026 Ramadan.

The announcement was made by the league in a communique read by Grand Mufti of Yoruba Land, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez, at the end of the meeting held on Thursday in Ibadan.

“The conjunction of the Ramadan moon shall occur on Tuesday, 17th February, 2026, equivalent to 29th Shaaban 1447 A.H. at 1:01 PM (Nigeria Local Time), which is before sunset across Nigeria.

“On the evening of 17th February, 2026, the moon shall set after the sun throughout Nigeria, remaining above the horizon for approximately 12 minutes.

“With these conditions fulfilled, the crescent shall be visible on the evening of Wednesday, 18th February 2026, across Nigeria, In shāʾ Allāh.

“Consequently, Wednesday, 18th February 2026, is confirmed as the 1st day of Ramadan,” AbdulAzeez said.

He said that astronomical calculation, alongside visual sighting and completion of 30 days, constitutes one of the three valid Islamic methods for determining the commencement of Islamic months.

The grand Mufti said those methods had been consistently adopted by the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land for nearly five decades, as established by their founding fathers.

“This approach has remained a pillar of unity, consistency, and religious harmony among Muslims in south-west Nigeria, and the League remains committed to it,” he said.

“We pray that Allah accepts our fasting, prayers, and acts of worship, and grants the Ummah peace, unity, and spiritual elevation throughout this blessed month,” he said.

AbdulAzeez said that the declaration was based on established astronomical and Sharʿīah criteria, in line with the long-standing methodology adopted by the League, rooted in scholarship, precision, and communal unity.

The Grand Mufti also appealed to Muslims in the region and Nigeria in general to unite and speak with one voice as Ramadan fasting approaches.

AbdulAzeez called on Muslims to close rank, shun thing that could bring disunity or division among them and fear God in their deeds.

Present at the meeting were the President-General of the league, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, the Secretary-General of the league, Sheikh Mustapha Doak, the League’s Chairman, Board of Trustee, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullah El-Ilory.

Others were Chief Imams of Ibadan, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Ondo States. (NAN)

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