In a historic move, the League of Imams in Yorubaland has taken a bold step towards self-determination, announcing that the region will commence Ramadan on March 1, independent of the traditional declaration by the Sultan of Sokoto. This significant departure from established practice underscores the growing desire for regional autonomy and self-governance within the Muslim community in Yorubaland. The move comes amidst rising discussions on the proposed establishment of a Shariah panel in the region, aimed at providing an alternative dispute resolution mechanism rooted in Islamic law. As the Islamic community prepares to embark on the sacred month of Ramadan, this development is set to spark important discussions on religious authority, regional identity, and the future of Islamic practice in Nigeria, with potential implications for the integration of Shariah principles into the region’s legal framework.

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has announced that Ramadan 1446 AH (2025) will begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, breaking with the traditional practice of awaiting the Sultan of Sokoto’s declaration.

According to a communiqué issued by the Office of the Grand Mufti of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, the decision regarding the start of Ramadan was based on precise astronomical calculations and international Islamic conferences on lunar sighting.

Citing resolutions from Islamic councils, astronomical experts, and international conferences (including those in Istanbul, Paris, and the OIC), the statement affirmed that the Ramadan crescent moon will be visible after sunset on February 28, 2025, making March 1st the first day of fasting. 

The communiqué also referenced a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

Quoting the hadith, “Fast when you see the crescent and break your fast when you see it,” the announcement marks a significant departure from the established Nigerian practice of awaiting the Sultan of Sokoto’s declaration for the start and end of Ramadan.

The Sultan of Sokoto’s recent call for Sharia law in Yorubaland, which the Yoruba Nation Self-Determination Movement called “disrespectful,” highlights the ongoing discussions about religious autonomy among Yoruba Muslims.

This new announcement regarding the start of Ramadan could further intensify these discussions.

The Yoruba Nation Self-Determination Movement, led by Professor Banji Akintoye, issued a statement arguing that Yoruba Muslims are not religiously obligated to accept the Sultan of Sokoto as their leader. 

The group also dismissed as “falsehood” the Sultan’s assertion that Yoruba people are denying Yoruba Muslims their religious rights.

Despite the independent declaration from the League, neither the Sultan of Sokoto nor the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has yet to issue an official response. The League’s statement details the possibility of sighting the Ramadan crescent moon for 1446 AH (2025 CE), citing resolutions from the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul in 1978.

“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 to 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.”