The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Wednesday, February 18, as the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH across Nigeria. The announcement, made on behalf of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), follows confirmed sightings of the Ramadan crescent moon.
According to a statement from Alhaji Sambo Junaidu, Chairman of the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, the Council’s committee, in collaboration with the National Moonsighting Committee, received numerous verified reports from local moonsighting teams nationwide confirming the moon’s visibility on Tuesday. “The Sultan has accepted the reports and accordingly declared Wednesday, Feb. 18, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH,” the statement read.
As the President-General of the NSCIA, Sultan Abubakar urged the Muslim Ummah to devote the holy month to worship, prayer, and reflection. He called on Nigerians to use the period to pray for the nation’s progress, peace, and prosperity, emphasizing that prayers for national leaders are vital for the country’s development.
The Sultan also stressed the importance of unity among Muslims and appealed to affluent individuals to support the less privileged, ensuring everyone can observe the fast comfortably. He concluded by praying for divine guidance and wisdom for the nation’s leaders as they govern.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed globally by Muslims through fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayer, Quranic reflection, and acts of charity. Fasting during this period is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and a mandatory act of worship for adult Muslims. The month, which lasts 29 or 30 days depending on lunar sightings, is also a time for communal solidarity and spiritual renewal.
The declaration by the Sultan of Sokoto, a revered Islamic leader in Nigeria, sets the observance period for the country’s estimated 100 million Muslims. The faithful will now commence a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, with daily meals before sunrise (suhoor) and after sunset (iftar). Community prayers (taraweeh) will be held in mosques nightly.
The timing of Ramadan shifts annually by about 10 days in the Gregorian calendar due to the lunar-based Islamic calendar. This year’s observance will occur during longer daylight hours for many in the Northern Hemisphere, presenting a significant physical and spiritual commitment. The month will conclude with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, dependent on the sighting of the next crescent moon, expected around March 19 or 20.
