The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland on Thursday, officially declared February 18, 2026, as the date for the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast.
The league made the declaration in a communique issued by the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq Ishola AbdulAzeez, at the end of its meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The meeting had in attendance, 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 Trustees of the League and Mudeerul Markaz, Agege, Sheikh Habibullah Adam Abdullah El-Ilory, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Adewale Hossein Doak, Professor Kamil Oloso, Dr. Abdul-Barri Adetunji, and other prominent Islamic scholars from the six states in South-West Nigeria.
The League in the communique said the declaration was as a result of its findings and resolutions of the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul from November 27-30, 1978.
While justifying its resolutions, The League maintained that the 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, as well as the outcomes of International Conference on the Unification of the Hijrah Calendar, held in Istanbul from May 28-30, 2016.
It also noted that based on the above facts, it is confirmed that the Ramadan fast will begin on Wednesday, 18 February, 2026.
“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).
