In a historic move that challenges long-standing religious customs, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has announced that Ramadan 1446 AH (2025) will begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025. This decision marks a break from the tradition of waiting for an official declaration from the Sultan of Sokoto, Nigeria’s spiritual leader of Muslims.
In a statement from the Grand Mufti’s Office, the League explained that their decision is based on precise astronomical calculations and resolutions from major international Islamic conferences, including those held in Istanbul, Paris, and within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). These sources confirm that the crescent moon signaling Ramadan will be visible after sunset on Friday, February 28, 2025, making March 1 the first day of fasting.
Quoting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they reaffirmed their stance:
“Fast when you see the crescent and break your fast when you see it.”
This announcement has sparked conversations about religious autonomy among Yoruba Muslims, some of whom have long questioned the centralized religious leadership in Nigeria. The decision also comes amid recent tensions over the Sultan’s call for Sharia law in Yorubaland— a proposal strongly opposed by the Yoruba Nation Self-Determination Movement, which labeled it “disrespectful.”
As of now, the Sultan of Sokoto and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have not issued any official response. However, Yoruba Muslim leaders stand firm, pointing to historical precedents and the accuracy of scientific lunar calculations.
With Ramadan fast approaching, this decision could mark a turning point in how Yoruba Muslims observe Islamic traditions in Nigeria.
