The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan for Nigerian Muslims. The announcement was made on Friday, February 28, following the verified sighting of the crescent moon, which signifies the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Addressing the country from his palace, the Sultan guaranteed that reports of moon sighting across various parts of the nation were verified and authenticated. The sighting was on day 29 of Sha’ban, marking the end of the Islamic month of Sha’ban and the onset of Ramadan 1446 AH. The Sultan’s announcement is in accordance with Islamic tradition, which follows the lunar calendar for the onset of Ramadan.
During his address, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III appealed to Muslims nationwide to begin fasting on Saturday, March 1, and devote themselves to prayer, reflection, and seeking Allah’s (SWT) mercy and blessings for the entire blessed month. He appealed to the Muslim faithful to use this period to seek peace and progress in the country, and pray to Allah to lead the country’s leaders.
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The Sultan, also serving as President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), was especially keen on bringing charity to the fore during Ramadan. He called on the rich to give alms to the poor so that all Muslims could fast with honor. His call for sympathy and compassion mirrors the central themes of Ramadan: selflessness, introspection, and sympathy for the needy.
The Sultan also reiterated the need for Nigerians to unite, irrespective of religious or ethnic backgrounds. He highlighted Ramadan’s significance in fostering social cohesion and reaffirming communal bonds. In the Ramadan message, he urged the wisdom and power of the Nigeria leaders to lead with justice and mercy.
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National Confirmation of Moon Sighting
The moon sighting was made all across Nigeria, and Islamic associations and leaders in the country saw the new crescent. The National Moon Sighting Committee subsequently confirmed and endorsed these after the collaboration with the state committees in verifying the correctness in announcing the start of Ramadan. Following the authentication of the sighting of the moon by the authorities, the announcement of the Sultan was legalized, and March 1, 2025, was designated as the first fasting day for Nigerian Muslims.
In line with the Sultan’s announcement, the start of Ramadan on Saturday, March 1, is also marked by several other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where the moon was also sighted, uniting the world’s Muslim population to mark this special period of fasting, prayer, and worship.
President Tinubu Extends Ramadan Greetings
In a statement issued on Friday, March 1, President Bola Tinubu wished the Muslim community a warm congratulations on the onset of Ramadan. The President thanked Almighty Allah for allowing Nigerians to experience the holy month, an important pillar of the Islamic faith.
President Tinubu’s message identified the values of introspection, humility, and selflessness embodied in Ramadan. He urged Muslims to use the month as a time to increase their faith in Allah, improve relations with family and society, and promote peace and harmony in the nation. The President also urged Nigerians to be humane to one another, especially the less fortunate, and work towards building a greater and more united Nigeria.
The President emphasized that this Ramadan is particularly significant because the country is stable and moving towards economic recovery. He highlighted the positive indicators in the national economy, including the increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the fourth quarter of 2024, the decline in fuel prices, and stability in the exchange rate. These developments, the President stated, are signals that a brighter future awaits the nation and an acknowledgement of the steps taken by government to bring beneficial change.
The President’s speech concluded on good wishes for every Muslim marking the Ramadan season and hoping the month would be joyful, peaceful, and enriching spiritually.
Katsina State Hisbah Board Directs Closure of Private Schools During Ramadan
In another development, the Katsina State Hisbah Board directed all private schools in the state to close down for the duration of Ramadan. The move is to allow Muslim students to keep the fasting period intact. The Hisbah Board, which is responsible for the enforcement of Sharia law, issued the directive in line with the advice of the state government.
Malam Aminu Usman, Hisbah Board Commander-General in Katsina state, called on the owners of the schools to obey the order, with a hint that there will be hardline measures on defaulters. The closure would help to relieve Muslim students so that they could fully participate in religious devotion at the periodous time.
The Spiritual Significance of Ramadan
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and a time during which Muslims fast, pray, reflect, and give alms. Fasting during Ramadan is the observance of abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual intercourse from sunrise to sunset. The self-control practice is seen to cleanse the soul and bring humans closer to Allah.
During Ramadan, Muslims also perform additional prayers, such as Taraweeh, and attempt to understand the Quran better. Charity is the key during the month, with Muslims being encouraged to give to the poor and needy, ensuring all members of the community are able to participate in the religious event.
Ramadan is a highly spiritual month for Muslims, and it is a time for personal growth, community unity, and a reaffirmation of their religion. It is a period of heightened devotion and an opportunity for self-reflection, renewal, and greater intimacy with Allah. The ultimate goal of Ramadan is to be more spiritually conscious and intimate with Allah, emerging from the month a more empathetic, humble, and faithful individual.
As Ramadan 1446 AH begins, Muslims all over Nigeria and the world will embark on a month of fasting, praying, and spiritualism under Islam and the ethos of unity and compassion.
Reported by GistNexus Team Zainab Alamin and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka