By Ghazali Ibrahim 
Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon, announcing Saturday the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
This announcement was made on Friday, February 28, 2024, by the publication Inside The Haramain, which specializes in news about the Two Holy Mosques in Islam.
The sighting confirms that Saturday, March 1, 2025, will be the first day of fasting for Muslims in Saudi Arabia.
The publication posted: “Ramadan 1446 Crescent has been SEEN in Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, Saturday, 1st March 2025 is the beginning of the month of Ramadan.”
As Saudi Arabia begins its observance of Ramadan, Muslims in Nigeria are awaiting the official proclamation from the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
The Sultan had earlier urged Muslims across Nigeria to look for the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan on Friday evening, February 28, 2025.
In a statement issued by the NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the Sultan encouraged Muslims to begin the search immediately after sunset.
The statement read: “Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1446 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, 28th February 2025, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1446 AH.”
The Sultan added that if the crescent is sighted on Friday evening by credible Muslims, then Saturday, March 1, 2025, will be declared the first day of Ramadan.
If the moon is not sighted, then Sunday, March 2, 2025, will automatically be the first day of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which consists of 12 months totaling 354 or 355 days.
The fasting period, observed by over a billion Muslims worldwide, is a time for self-reflection, patience, self-control, and charity.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is compulsory for all healthy Muslims, though exceptions are made for children, the sick, travelers, and women who are pregnant, nursing, or menstruating
