THE holy fasting month of Ramadan will begin in Nigeria on Saturday, March 1st 2025, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, has announced.
Sultan Abubakar, who doubles as the president of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said this in a broadcast Friday night.
The announcement followed the sighting of the crescent moon in a multiple locations in Nigeria, according to the National Moonsighting Committee.
“The Sultan felicitates with the entire Muslim community on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1446AH Ramadan Fast,” a statement by the Sultan said.
He prayed that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.
On his part, President Bola Tinubu congratulated the Muslim faithful on the commencement of the sacred month of Ramadan.
The President in a statement he signed on Friday expressed gratitude to the “Almighty Allah for granting us the grace to witness the commencement of this holy month, a cornerstone of the Islamic faith”.
“May this fasting and devotion period be marked by good health, spiritual fulfilment, and divine blessings. Ramadan is a time for deep reflection, renewed devotion to Allah, and acts of compassion and generosity toward humanity.”
Tinubu urged all Muslims observing the fast to embrace the profound lessons of piety, humility, and selflessness that this holy month embodies.
He also wants Muslims to use the period to strengthen our bonds with Allah and one another, fostering unity and peace in their various communities.
“This year’s Ramadan holds special significance as it coincides with a period of renewed hope and progress for our nation. Our administration’s bold and transformative policies are beginning to yield positive results, as evidenced by the gradual stabilisation of our economy. The Gross Domestic Product for the last quarter of 2024 showed a marked improvement over the same period in 2023.
“The once-soaring prices of essential food items are now downward, providing much-needed relief to our fasting population and all Nigerians. The exchange rate is stabilising, and fuel prices are declining, signalling a brighter future.
“I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Muslims observing Ramadan for a month filled with joy, peace, and spiritual renewal. May the blessings of this holy month illuminate our hearts and homes, and may we emerge from it as better individuals and a stronger nation,” he added.
Earlier, the Ramadan crescent (moon) was sighted in Saudi Arabia and other countries around the world.
Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month for fasting, prayer, reflection and assisting the needy.
Throughout the month, observing Muslims fast from just before the sunrise prayer, Fajr, to the sunset prayer, Maghrib.
The fast entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations to achieve greater “taqwa”, or consciousness of Allah.
“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness,” Qur’an 2:183 stipulates.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, five daily prayers, charity, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca – the site of Islam’s holiest shrine, the Kaaba – if physically and financially capable.
During the period, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days – depending on when a new crescent is sighted.