The President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Muslims across the country to search for the crescent marking the beginning of Ramadan immediately after sunset on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The appeal was conveyed in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Secretary-General of the Council, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede. The date corresponds to 29 Sha’aban 1447 A.H. in the Islamic calendar.
The Ramadan crescent is the first visible sliver of the new moon and signals the start of the holy month of fasting. Its sighting officially ushers in Ramadan, during which Muslims observe daily fasting, prayers, and acts of charity.
According to the Council, arrangements have been made to ensure accurate and credible moon sightings. The National Moon Sighting Committee is working in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency to monitor and confirm reports from across the country.
The statement explained that if the crescent is sighted on Tuesday evening, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, will be declared the first day of Ramadan 1447 A.H. However, if the moon is not seen, Thursday, February 19, 2026, will automatically mark the beginning of the fasting period.
Beyond the Ramadan announcement, the Council expressed concern over what it described as rising Islamophobic narratives in Nigeria over the past year. It alleged that Muslims have increasingly faced attempts to criminalise their faith through what it called misleading narratives about insecurity in the country.
The statement noted that Muslims have often been required to condemn acts they did not support, while victims of attacks are sometimes portrayed as aggressors. It further argued that Muslims remain major victims of insurgency, banditry and extremist violence, yet their suffering is frequently overlooked in public discourse.
On the political front, the Council also raised concerns about the scheduling of elections during Ramadan. It said it had received complaints following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission that presidential elections would take place during the fasting period, with governorship polls likely to coincide with Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The Council said it is monitoring the situation and hopes for a review.
Despite the concerns raised, the Sultan encouraged Muslims to remain calm, steadfast and devoted during the holy month. He prayed for peace, protection and stability in Nigeria and asked Allah to grant the faithful the opportunity to witness and complete the 1447 A.H. Ramadan in good health and spiritual fulfilment.
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