Oyo Matters
Yoruba League Of Imams, Alfas Declare February 18 Commencement Of Ramadan
Prominent Islamic leaders and scholars under the platform of League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland have announced 18 February as the date for the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast.
The league made this declaration in a communique read to journalists by the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola at the end of its meeting held at Bodija area of Ibadan on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by the President General of the league, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, Chief Imam of Ogun State, Sheikh Saadulah Bamgbola, Chief Imam of Osun State, Sheikh Musa Rabiu Animasahun and Grand Chief Imam of Ondo State, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede.
Others are; Chairman, League of Imams and Alfas in Lagos State, Sheikh Seifudeen Ademoritan Olowooribi, Chairman, Board of trustee of the league, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullah El-Ilory and Secretary General of the league, Sheikh Mustapha Adewale Hossein Doak, Professor Kamil Oloso and Dr Abdul-Barri Adetunji and other prominent Islamic leaders and scholars from the six states in Southwestern Nigeria.
The league, in the communique, noted that the first day of Ramadan fast will be Wednesday February 18 based on their own findings and calculations.
The league maintained that its announcement is based on the resolutions of the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul from November 27-30, 1978.
It added that this has been confirmed by the International Fiqh Council in its Resolution No. (18) during its third conference in 1986, as well as the outcomes of the scientific symposium held in Paris in February 2012.
The league, while justifying its resolutions, maintained that this announcement is also based on the outcomes of the International Conference on the confirmation of lunar months and resolutions of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy.
The league noted that based on the above facts, it is confirmed that the Ramadan fast will begin on Wednesday February 18 this year.
“Communique from the office of the Grand Mufti of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland regarding the determination of the beginning and termination of the blessed month of Ramadan for the Year 1447AH – 2026 CE. The first day of Ramadan 1447 AH, Insha Allah, will be Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
“The league also takes this opportunity to announce the beginning of month of Ramadan in the year 1447 AH (2026 CE), in accordance with the resolutions of the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul from 26-29 Dhul-Hijjah 1389 AH (November 27-30, 1978 CE).
“This is also based on the confirmation by the International Fiqh Council in its Resolution No. (18) during its third conference in 1986, as well as the outcomes of the scientific symposium held in Paris on 12-13 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1433 AH (February 4-5, 2012 CE), which was titled “The Beginning of Hijrah Months and the Hijrah Calendar.”
“Additionally, this announcement is based on the outcomes of the International Conference on the Confirmation of Lunar Months, attended by scholars of Sharia and astronomical calculations, as well as the resolutions of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) from 19-21 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1433 AH (February 11-13, 2012 CE), which was attended by a large number of jurists and Muslims astronomers.
“Furthermore, it is based on the outcomes of the International Conference on the Unification of the Hijrah Calendar held in Istanbul from 21-23 Sha’ban 1437 AH (May 28-30, 2016 CE), which was attended by representatives from over ninety countries, including ministries of endowments, fatwa councils, scholars, jurists, and astronomers, as well as representatives from most Islamic jurisprudential councils worldwide.
“These conferences established a set of fundamental principles and standards, the most important of which are: The basis for the beginning of a month is its confirmation through definitive means. Scientific astronomical calculations inform us in advance and definitively about the possibility of sighting the crescent moon, and there can be no contradiction to its confirmation. Differences in moon sighting locations are not considered, based on the general ruling.
“Based on the above facts, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland hereby announces the following: Precise astronomical calculations for the crescent moon of Ramadan 1447AH confirm that the conjunction (Astronomical New Moon) will occur at (12:01 PM) Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on Tuesday , February 17, 2026, corresponding to 29 Sha’ban 1447AH, which is 1:01 (1:01 PM) local time in Nigeria.
“The commencement of Ramadan is confirmed based on the following three key astronomical and Sheria criteria: The conjunction of the Ramadan moon shall occur on Tuesday, 17th February 2026 29th Shaaban 1447 A.H. at 1:01 PM (Nigeria Local Time), which is before sunset across Nigeria.
“On the evening of February 17, 2026, the moon shall set after the sun throughout Nigeria, remaining above the horizon for approximately 12 minutes. With these conditions fulfilled, the crescent shall be visible on the evening of Wednesday, 18th February 2026 across Nigeria, In sh?? All?h. Consequently, Wednesday, 18th February 2026, is confirmed as the 1st day of Ramadan.
“Furthermore, the League wishes to clarify that Wednesday, March 18, 2026, shall mark the 29th day of Ramadan. There shall be no possibility of crescent sighting on the evening of March 18, 2026, as astronomical conjunction will not yet have occurred, meaning there will be no moon at all in existence for sighting on that evening.
“The conjunction for the month of Shaww?l shall occur on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 2:23 PM (Nigeria Local Time). Consequently, Ramadan this year shall be completed as 30 days, and fasting shall not end at 29 days.
“Any claim of crescent sighting before conjunction is therefore astronomically, Islamically and scientifically erroneous and should be disregarded. The League reiterates that astronomical calculation, alongside visual sighting and completion of 30 days, constitutes one of the three valid Islamic methods for determining the commencement of Islamic months. This methodology has been consistently adopted by the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land for nearly five decades, as established by our founding fathers.
“This approach has remained a pillar of unity, consistency, and religious harmony among Muslims in Southwest Nigeria, and the League remains committed to it. We pray that Allah accepts our fasting, prayers, and acts of worship, and grants the Ummah peace, unity, and spiritual elevation throughout this blessed month.
“This declaration is based on established astronomical and Shar??ah criteria, in line with the long-standing methodology adopted by the League (Rabitah), which is rooted in scholarship, precision, and communal unity. We ask Allah Almighty to unite our ranks, bring us together in harmony, and accept our righteous deeds”.
——Kunle Bakare.
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