Muslim faithful across Nigeria and around the world have commenced the annual 30-Day Ramadan fasting on Wednesday, Thursday, February 18th, 2026, having declared the moon sighted by the Saudi authority.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a sacred period of fasting, prayer, reflection and charity observed by adherents of Islam. The exact date of its commencement is traditionally determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in line with Islamic injunctions.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has formally announced the official start date after receiving verified reports of moon sightings from various parts of the country.
Similarly, Muslim authorities in other parts of the world, including the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North America, rely on their respective moon-sighting committees and Islamic scholars to confirm the beginning of the month.
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are physically and mentally fit. During the month, Muslims abstain from food, drink and other physical needs from dawn to sunset. The fast is broken each evening with a meal known as Iftar, while the pre-dawn meal is called Suhoor.
Beyond fasting, the holy month is marked by increased devotion, recitation of the Qur’an, nightly Taraweeh prayers and acts of charity aimed at supporting the less privileged in society. Mosques are often filled with worshippers seeking spiritual rejuvenation and forgiveness.
Islamic scholars have urged the faithful to use the forthcoming Ramadan to pray for peace, unity and national development, particularly in the face of prevailing socio-economic challenges.
As anticipation builds, Muslim organisations and community leaders are already making arrangements for special prayer sessions, lectures and welfare programmes to ensure a spiritually rewarding experience for the faithful.
The final confirmation of the start date will be communicated to the public through official statements and media announcements once the crescent moon is sighted.
