Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared Wednesday, February 18, as the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH in Nigeria.
Abubakar announced the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan 1447 AH in a statement issued by Alhaji Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto on Tuesday.
He said: “The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee received reports from various Moonsighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH, on Tuesday.
“The Sultan has accepted the reports and accordingly declared Wednesday, Feb. 18, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH.”
Abubakar urged Muslims to dedicate themselves fully to acts of worship and devotion during the holy month.
He encouraged Nigerians to use the Ramadan period to pray for the progress, peace and prosperity of the country, adding that prayer for the nation’s leaders too was equally important to national growth.
The Sultan emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence among Muslims and called on wealthy individuals to support the needy and less privileged, making it easier for them to observe the fast.
He prayed for God’s guidance and wisdom for the country’s leaders as they navigate the affairs of the nation.
The Sultan felicitates the Nigeria Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance and blessings.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, communal prayer, reflection and charity.
Fasting during Ramadan, which lasts for 29 or 30 days, is one of the five pillars of Islam and a compulsory religious obligation for all adult Muslims.
Also, the Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Ibn Umar-El-kanemi, declared Wednesday, February 18, as the first day of Ramadan fasting for 1447 AH.
Umar-El-kanemi made declaration on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
“Today Tuesday, the 29th Day Of Sha’aban, 1447 after Hijira of our noble Prophet Muhammad which corresponds with 17th Feb. 2026, by the grace of Allah, Has brought us to the end of the month of Sha’aban 1447 After Hijira and the beginning of Ramadan 1447 AH.
“Reports of moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across the country, which were endorsed by the states and National Moon Sighting Committees and duly accepted by us,” he said.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, also confirmed that Ramadan fasting will begin on Wednesday, February 18.
This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin by the Emir’s Press Secretary, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona.
Arowona said the Emir’s decision aligned with the position of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
He said the development followed a meeting of the Ilorin Emirate Council and the Council of Ulama at the Emir’s palace.
“During the meeting, the Emir held a telephone conversation with the Sultan,” Arowona said.
He said the Sultan confirmed that the new moon was sighted in the Saudi Arabia and Nguru Emirate in Yobe.
Arowona said the meeting was attended by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, and the Imam Gambari of Ilorin.
He added that other members of the Kwara Council of Ulama were also present.
“Others included the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Balogun Ajikobi, Baba Isale and Ajanasi Agba,” he said.
He also listed the Magajin Ngeri, Galadima, Sarkin Malami and Makama of Ilorin among attendees.
Arowona said the Emir thanked the Kwara government and residents for sustaining peace across the state.
The Emir also urged Muslims to extend charity to the less privileged throughout the glorious month.
The Imam Imale prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the Muslim Ummah the benefits of Ramadan fasting.
He also prayed for the fulfilment of Allah’s promises to the faithful.
Special prayers were offered for the repose of the late Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir.
Prayers were also said for Prof. Yusuf Badmas, former Dean of the Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin, who died recently.
