The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has authoritatively declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan for the Hijri year 1447. The announcement, made from the historic city of Ibadan, represents a deliberate alignment of regional Islamic practice with international astronomical consensus, moving beyond traditional moon-sighting to a calendar grounded in scientific calculation.
This decision, reached by a convocation of the region’s most revered Islamic leaders, aims to foster harmony and eliminate the annual confusion that often accompanies the commencement of the holy month for millions of Muslims across South-West Nigeria.
The communiqué, delivered with solemn authority by the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, was the culmination of a high-level meeting attended by the apex of Yorubaland’s Islamic leadership.
The gathering included paramount figures such as the League’s President General, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello; the Chief Imams of Ibadanland, Ogun, Osun, and Ondo States; alongside esteemed scholars and professors.
Their collective presence underscored the weight and legitimacy of the resolution, which is designed to provide clear, advance guidance for the faithful.
The League’s pronouncement is not merely a local decree but is firmly rooted in a tapestry of global Islamic scholarship, citing foundational resolutions from the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee in Istanbul (1978), the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, and major international conferences on lunar calendar unification held in Paris and Istanbul.
The League’s detailed explanation reveals a process deeply informed by astronomy. The decision hinges on the precise timing of the “conjunction,” or the astronomical new moon, which is calculated to occur at 1:01 PM Nigerian time on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Since the crescent moon cannot be sighted on the day of the conjunction, the following day, Wednesday, February 18, is thereby established as the definitive start of Ramadan. Furthermore, the League provided conclusive guidance on the duration of the fast, stating that Ramadan in 2026 will be a complete 30-day month.
This conclusion is based on astronomical data confirming that the new moon for the following month of Shawwal will occur on Thursday, March 19, 2026, making sighting on Wednesday, March 18 impossible and thus ruling out a 29-day Ramadan.
This proactive declaration by the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland marks a pivotal step in streamlining Islamic observance in the region. By anchoring the sacred calendar in verified astronomical science and international consensus, the leaders have provided a framework for unity, allowing communities, families, and institutions to prepare for the month of fasting, prayer, and reflection with certainty and shared purpose.
The move is poised to synchronize the spiritual rhythm of Yorubaland’s Muslim community, ensuring that the holy month begins in a spirit of collective clarity and devotion.
