League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has announced that Ramadan 1446 AH (2025) will begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, departing from the traditional practice of waiting for the official declaration by the Sultan of Sokoto, who is regarded as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims.
According to Sahara Reporters, in a communiqué issued by the Office of the Grand Mufti of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, the body stated that its decision was based on precise astronomical calculations and international Islamic conferences on lunar sighting.
The communiqué referenced the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“Fast when you see the crescent and break your fast when you see it.” (Agreed upon by scholars).
This announcement marks a significant shift from the long-standing practice in Nigeria, where the Sultan of Sokoto typically announces the start and end of Ramadan for the country’s Muslim community.
The move could further fuel discussions about religious autonomy among Yoruba Muslims, who have in the past expressed concerns about regional independence in religious affairs.
For instance, the Yoruba Nation Self-Determination Movement described the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III’s recent call for the imposition of Sharia law in Yorubaland as “disrespectful”.
The secessionist group stated this in a statement, signed by its leader Professor Banji Akintoye, arguing that no Islamic provisions mandate Yoruba Muslims to accept the Sultan as their leader.
The statement also pointed out that the Sultan’s message alleges that Yoruba people are denying Yoruba Muslims their religious rights, which is described as “falsehood.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Sultan of Sokoto or the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) regarding this independent declaration.
The statement reads: “The League also takes this opportunity to announce the possibility sighting of the crescent moon for the month of Ramadan in the year 1446 AH (2025 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.”
“This symposium was attended by eminent scholars and experts in jurisprudence and astronomy, and several jurisprudential and astronomical researches were presented.
“Precise astronomical calculations for the crescent moon of Ramadan 1446 AH confirm that the conjunction (Astronomical New Moon) will occur at 00:45 (12:45 AM) Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on Friday, February 28, 2025, corresponding to 29 Sha’ban 1446 AH, which is 01:45 (1:45 AM) local time in Nigeria.
“Consequently, the crescent moon will be visible after sunset on 29 Sha’ban 1446 AH equivalent of 28 February 2025 in various parts of the world, either with the naked eye or through telescopes and observation devices.
“Therefore, the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan 1446 AH will, Insha Allah, be Saturday, March 1, 2025, with the first Taraweeh prayer (Ashamu or Ashari) coming up on Friday night, February 28, 2025, Insha Allah.”
The commencement of the Ramadan fast is not determined by anyone but by the calendar. If Sultan has gathered experts to accurately monitor the appearance of the new moon, it is irrational and needless for any group to go contrary. It’s commendable that the Sultan has been running an inclusive leadership that rallies Muslims from all the zones in Nigeria. Pockets of naysayers are only for mere aggrandisement.