Just in: With no moon sighted, Yorubaland Grand Mufti announces 2025 Ramadan fast, Tarawih dates
The Raabitatul Aima Wal Hulamoh (League of Imams and Alfas) of Yoruba Land, through the Office of the Grand Mufti, has officially announced the commencement dates for the 1446 AH (2025) Ramadan fasting season.
In a statement shared on its official Facebook page, the League of Imams and Alfas revealed that the decision followed a series of high-level meetings at its headquarters.
Unlike the usual tradition, when the start of Ramadan was determined by moonsighting, no crescent was observed this time. Instead, the League said it relied on analysis of astronomical data before reaching its conclusion.
According to the declaration, Tarawih prayers will commence on Friday, February 28, 2025, while the Ramadan fast will officially begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
This marks a notable departure from tradition, where the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, who also serves as the President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), typically announces the start of Ramadan following a nationwide moonsighting effort.
The statement reads in part: “THE LEADERSHIP OF RAABITAH REPORT ON THIS YEAR 1446 AH (2025) RAMADAN FAST RELEASE AS CARRIED OUT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GRAND MUFTI OF YORUBA LAND ON THE 13TH FEBRUARY,2025.
“Today, the 13th February, 2025, Meeting was held at the Headquarters of Raabitatul Aima Wal Hulamoh ( League of Imams and Alfas) of Yoruba Land. The Leadership made the Presentation and Declaration of the Commencement of Ramadan Fast for the Year 1446 AH ( 2025) after series of meetings made by the Leadership and the Professionals.
“It was Declared that , Ramadan Fast will Commence as below: Tarawih will be observed on the 28th of February (Friday), while Ramadan will commence on 1st of March, 2025 which will be in tandem with the 98% of the Muslims across the World. It is important to note that, this has been the practice of the Organization for decades.”
