The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has accepted reports confirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH and directed Muslims across the country to commence fasting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS reports .
In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs and Waziri Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Sultanate Advisory Council on Religious Affairs, in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee, received and verified reports from various moon sighting committees nationwide confirming the new crescent.
According to the statement, the Sultan, who is also President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), formally approved on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, corresponding to 1st Ramadan 1447AH, as the first day of fasting.
He congratulated the Nigerian Muslim Ummah on the commencement of the holy month and prayed for divine guidance and blessings.
The Sultan also urged Muslims to intensify prayers for peace, progress, and national development, wishing the faithful a spiritually rewarding Ramadan and praying that Allah accepts their acts of worship.
