Yoruba Imams, Alfas, Move Against Sultan Of Sokoto, Declare March 1, As Commencement Of Ramadan
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has announced that Ramadan 1446 AH 2025, will begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, contrary to the traditional practice of waiting for official announcement by the President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and Sultan of Sokoto.
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has announced that Ramadan 1446 AH 2025, will begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, contrary to the traditional practice of waiting for official announcement by the President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and Sultan of Sokoto.
This was contained in a communiqué issued by the Office of the Grand Mufti of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, noting that the decision was based on precise astronomical calculations and international Islamic conferences on lunar sighting.
The statement marks a significant shift from the long-standing practice in the country, where the Sultan of Sokoto usually announces the start and end of Ramadan for the country’s Muslim community.
The Imams and Alfas cited multiple resolutions from Islamic jurisprudential councils, astronomical experts, and international conferences held in Istanbul, Paris, and within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, to support its line of action.
According to them, the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan will be visible after sunset on Friday, February 28, 2025, making March 1, 2025, the first day of fasting.
They also, cited the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which stated, “Fast when you see the crescent and break your fast when you see it.” (Agreed upon by scholars).
The Imams and Alfas cited multiple resolutions from Islamic jurisprudential councils, astronomical experts, and international conferences held in Istanbul, Paris, and within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, to support its line of action.
According to them, the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan will be visible after sunset on Friday, February 28, 2025, making March 1, 2025, the first day of fasting.
They also, cited the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which stated, “Fast when you see the crescent and break your fast when you see it.” (Agreed upon by scholars).
Yoruba Muslims, had in a statement, signed by its leader Professor Banji Akintoye, stressed that no Islamic provisions mandate Yoruba Muslims to accept the Sultan as their leader, pointing out that the Sultan had in his message alleged that Yoruba people were denying Yoruba Muslims their religious rights, which he described as “falsehood.”
There has been no official response from NSCIA, regarding the independent declaration.
The statement read, “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 statement read, “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.”
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