The National Muslim Council of Liberia has announced that Muslims across Liberia will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 following the sighting of the new crescent moon.
The decision was reached Tuesday after a final meeting of the Crescent Sighting Committee, the Fatwa Council and the council’s body of imams, which confirmed that the moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic tradition.
Based on the confirmation, the council urged Muslims nationwide to commence fasting Wednesday, with nightly Taraweeh prayers beginning Tuesday evening.
In its statement, the council cited the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing the practice of beginning the fast upon sighting the new crescent and ending it the same way.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam and lasts 29 to 30 days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.
Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, traveling, elderly, breastfeeding, pregnant, or menstruating. The predawn meal is suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is iftar. Although rulings have been issued that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca, it is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from day.
The spiritual rewards (thawab) of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan. Accordingly, during the hours of fasting, Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also from all behavior deemed to be sinful in Islam, devoting themselves instead to prayer and study of the Quran.
