Teliat Yunus Olushina Ayilara, the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Oyo State has cautioned against unauthorised moon sighting reports, declaring that only the Sultan of Sokoto is the only person with the power to officially announce the start and end of Ramadan in Nigeria.
In a communiqué issued by the Office of the Grand Mufti, AbdulAzeez Ishola, on Thursday, the League announced Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the date for the commencement of the Ramadan fast for Muslims in Yorubaland.
The communique read, “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 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.”
The development has generated controversies among the Muslim faithfuls especially in South-West Nigeria.
However, reacting to the development on Friday, February 14, 2025, during the Juma’at Sermon at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque, Imam Ayilara cautioned against pre-announcemnt of Ramadan dates, saying the power to do that in Nigeria rest upon the Sultan of Sokoto.
The Imam stressed that determining the beginning and end of Ramadan must be based on moon sighting in accordance with the commands of Allah and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). He warned that premature or unofficial announcements, regardless of the source, do not hold Islamic
He said; “If we want to begin Ramadan, how do we start? It’s important to understand this clearly. In the coming days, you might hear announcements claiming Ramadan will start or end on specific dates. However, such declarations do not align with Allah’s commands or the teachings of His Prophet, Muhammad (S.A.W), no matter who makes the announcement.
“This practice also goes against global Islamic traditions. No country, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, or other nations where Islam is fully practiced, operates this way. Even in places like the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia, you won’t hear such announcements.
“In places where such announcements are made, they might try to justify them. Just as someone caught stealing can be defended in court, don’t be surprised if someone presents evidence to support what our religion clearly rejects.”
The Imam referenced a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), which states: “Do not fast (for Ramadan) before the coming of the month until you sight the crescent or complete the number (of thirty days); then fast until you sight the crescent or complete the number (of thirty days).” He emphasized that this teaching is clear and leaves no room for confusion.
The Imam also explained the proper procedure when the Ramadan crescent is sighted. According to Islamic principles, each town has a leader responsible for reporting moon sightings.
He recalled an instance two years ago when the Ramadan crescent was sighted in Ogbomoso, an event he personally witnessed. However, as the leader of Muslims in the region, he noted that he lacked the authority to declare the sighting officially.
Instead, he was required to report it to higher authorities, who would then communicate the information up the chain until it reached the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Sultan of Sokoto.
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“If the moon is sighted, what happens? Every town has a leader. Two years ago, we sighted the Ramadan crescent in Ogbomoso, and I witnessed it myself. However, as the leader of Muslims in Ogbomoso, I do not have the authority to declare the sighting based on Islamic principles.
“Instead, I must report it to the appropriate authority, informing them that the crescent has been sighted in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Those I inform will then relay the message to higher authorities until it reaches the number one Muslim in Nigeria, the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Sultan of Sokoto. He is the only one with the authority to announce the sighting of the moon for the start or end of Ramadan in Nigeria.
“Anyone else who makes such an announcement can be reprimanded. Our religion does not support this; it values authority and unity,” he said.
What you should know
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered a sacred period of fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth for Muslims worldwide.
The start date of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon on the evening of the 29th day of the eighth month (Sha’ban). If the crescent moon is sighted, Ramadan begins the next day. If not, Ramadan begins on the 30th day of Sha’ban.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset, and focus on prayer, charity, and reciting the Quran.
The goal of Ramadan is to become a better person by controlling your desires, being kind to others, and building stronger relationships with family and friends.
It lasts for about a month and ends with a big celebration called Eid al-Fitr, where people come together to share food, gifts, and happy times.
So, the 2025 Ramadan is expected to start between February 29 or March and end on March 29 or March 30.
