The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reaffirmed the authority of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, as the sole leader responsible for announcing the commencement and termination of Ramadan in Nigeria. The Islamic human rights group dismissed speculations of division among Nigerian Muslims following an announcement by the League of Alfas and Imams in Yorubaland, which fixed March 1, 2025, as the start of Ramadan.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC described the League’s announcement as an academic exercise rather than a challenge to the Sultan’s mandate.
“They merely partook in calculating the movement of celestial objects as done in astronomy to determine the date of the appearance of the crescent. It should be made clear that academic exercise and scientific experimentation is allowed in Islam,” the statement read.
MURIC emphasized that the League of Imams and Alfas has made similar announcements in the past and clarified that their intention was not to dispute the Sultan’s authority. The group urged the media to avoid sensationalizing the issue and affirmed that Nigerian Muslims remain united under the leadership of the Sultan.
“Let it be known from the West to the East and from the North to the South that when the time comes to announce the beginning of Ramadan, we are going to wait until we hear from the Amiirul-Mu’miniin (the Commander of the Faithful), the Sultan of Sokoto. On the Sultan’s mandate we shall stand,” the statement added.
Furthermore, MURIC dismissed the claim of an individual parading himself as the “Chief Imam of Yorubaland,” stated that such an office does not exist.
“It is like somebody calling himself the Bishop of Yorubaland. That office does not exist. It is a sham. It is fraudulent,” Akintola said.
The group called on the Muslim community to remain disciplined and united, assured that there was no internal crisis over the timing of Ramadan.
