Sultan Urges Ramadan Moon Sighting for February 2026

Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and head of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has officially called on Muslims across Nigeria to begin the search for the new moon of Ramadan 1447 AH on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This announcement was made through an official statement issued on the same day, which was signed by Sambo Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs.

The Sultan requested that Muslims observe the crescent moon at sunset on that date and report any credible sightings promptly. He provided a contact number for reporting and emphasized the need for careful verification of any reports before an official announcement regarding the commencement of Ramadan is made.

The Sultan appealed to Muslims to conduct the moon sighting exercise with honesty, fear of God, and a strong sense of religious responsibility, noting that verified reports form the basis for the final decision in Nigeria.