Ramadan Fasting Date Announced

The National Hilal Committee conference which precedes the annual Islamic Ramadan fasting has been held at the auditorium of the Takoradi Technical University in the Western Region.

The main assignment of the conference last Saturday was to determine the date for the commencement of the annual Islamic Ramadan 29 or 30-day fasting based on the sighting of the crescent.

Delegates resolved that the watch-out date for the crescent should be on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, and which coincides with the 29th day of the Islamic lunar calendar date of Shaban. In this case, fasting commences the next day, which is Thursday, February 19, 2026. If on the other hand it is not sighted, then automatically Friday, the 30th day of Shaban, which is the 1st day of Ramadan, becomes the commencement date for the fasting.  The cut-off timing for the sighting was fixed at 9 p.m. Sightings after 9p.m. will not be valid.

The conference was graced by divergent personalities from the Islamic and Christian faith and underscored the inter-faith harmony existing in the country.

Also in attendance were traditional leaders from the region.

Osmanu Seidu, Executive Secretary of the Office of the National Chief Imam, who read the communique as it is conventional with such conferences, called for the location of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and  Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) schools in local communities so they can be accessed by all.

The communique touched on the menace of drugs on the youth and the need for concerted action to stem the anomaly.

The excitement of the Islamic community about the introduction of non-interest banking in the country was visible in the communique, as the conference called on Muslims to take advantage of it.

Delegates resolved that the peace and harmony existing in the country be protected and enhanced.

The dignitaries at the conference included the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Kwesimintsim Majid Kakrugu; the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wassa East, Alhassan Ibrahim; Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam Sheikh Arimiyau Shaibu, and Baba Lamin Abu Sadat, National Coordinator for Zongo Affairs in the Office of the President and a representative of the Anglican Diocese of Takoradi.

A message of the regional chief imams was presented by Imam Idriss Zakaria from the Western Region, who requested for prayers for the departed souls, especially the late Alhaji Awaiso Salisu Bio, the former Executive Secretary of the National Chief Imam.  Nana Kobina Nketia V, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, who chaired the function, expressed pleasure with the theme “Our Earth, Our Future,” pointing out that protection of the earth is both a civic and a religious responsibility.

Dr. Zagoon Saeed, the Director, Baraka Policy, Ghana, in his presentation as part of the programme, described the theme as perfect, adding that it is in tune with a relevant portion of the Holy Quran.  According to him, Almighty Allah said He placed man on earth as His representative. He quoted another verse from the Quran in which Allah said He will not change the condition of a community until they begin the process of change themselves. He encouraged all Imams to include in the khutbah (sermon) topics on environmental degradation and ways to preserve the environment.

Individual personalities were honoured with awards at the occasion.

The National Chief Imam, whose speech was read by his spokesperson, demanded of Muslims to consider the protection of the earth as a sacred duty.

The annual Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and so it behooves all healthy Muslims to perform it.