Yoruba Muslim Leaders Set Ramadan Start Date, Breaking The Tradition of Waiting for the 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.
This marks a major departure from the long-standing practice of waiting for an official declaration from the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims.
In a communiqué issued by the Grand Mufti’s Office, the League stated that its decision was based on precise astronomical calculations and resolutions from international Islamic conferences, including those held in Istanbul, Paris, and within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). According to these sources, the crescent moon signaling Ramadan will be visible after sunset on Friday, February 28, 2025, making March 1 the official start of fasting.
The League referenced the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) hadith:
“Fast when you see the crescent and break your fast when you see it.”
This independent declaration has sparked discussions about religious autonomy among Yoruba Muslims, some of whom have long questioned the centralized religious leadership in Nigeria. The move comes amid recent tensions over the Sultan’s call for the imposition of Sharia law in Yorubaland, which the Yoruba Nation Self-Determination Movement condemned as “disrespectful.”
As of now, the Sultan of Sokoto and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have not responded to this declaration. However, the League stands by its decision, citing historical precedents and scientific confirmation of the lunar calendar.
With Ramadan approaching, this shift could redefine how Yoruba Muslims observe Islamic traditions in Nigeria.
