AS the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), as well as prominent Muslim leaders in the South West have reaffirmed their commitment to observing the fasting period under the guidance of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

MUSWEN and the Muslim leaders, the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Kingdom, in Oyo State, Sheikh Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu; the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou Nolla; and the Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i, emphasised that no individual or local authority ought to independently declare the start of Ramadan.

MUSWEN reaffirmed its confidence in the leadership of Sultan Abubakar, as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

MUSWEN stated this in a statement signed by Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, President, and Professor Wole Abbas, Executive Secretary.

The statement came against the backdrop of announcements by some individuals and groups regarding the commencement date of the 2026 Ramadan fast.

“The announcements were made in disregard of the established and recognised process of moon sighting under the leadership of the President-General of the NSCIA to signal the commencement of the Ramadan fast,” the statement said.

Calling on Muslims in the South West in particular, and Nigeria in general, to shun disunity, MUSWEN urged them to “be wary of the antics of people who do not wish Islam and Muslims well.

“Their agenda and design for Muslims in Nigeria, and indeed the world over, is ‘divide and conquer.’ We must not fall into this trap,” the organisation said.

In their remarks, Sheikh Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu; Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou Nolla; and Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i underscored the importance of unity, adherence to Islamic tradition and obedience to recognised leadership in fostering cohesion among Nigerian Muslims.

Sheikh Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu reaffirmed the commitment of Muslims in Oyo town to following the leadership of Sultan Abubakar in all Islamic matters.

The cleric spoke against what he described as attempts by divisive elements, allegedly driven by political motives, to incite Muslims in Yorubaland against the leadership of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.

“The Ummah in Oyo Land will, by the will of Allah, follow the leadership of the Sultan in all Islamic-related matters,” he declared, stressing that the position aligns with Islamic teachings and conforms with the Sunnah as contained in the Qur’an and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad.

Sheikh Akeugberu, a legal practitioner and former Secretary-General of the Amalgamated Muslim Rights Concern (AMURIC), also issued a statement clarifying that the commencement of Ramadan fasting in Oyo Land would not be declared independently.

Muslims in the state will await the official moon-sighting announcement from the Sultan of Sokoto before beginning the fast, he said.

Similarly, Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou Nolla announced that Muslims in Lagos State will observe Ramadan according to the Sultan’s directive.

In a video message monitored on Tuesday, Sheikh Abou Nolla urged Muslims to maintain unity and patience while awaiting the official announcement of the Ramadan moon sighting.

He emphasised that following the Sultan’s guidance is both a religious obligation and a unifying factor for Muslims in Lagos.

“As we did it the year before, so we shall do it this year. We should be patient to hear the announcement of Ramadan moon sighting from the leader of Muslims in this country, Fadilatullah Ash-Shaykh Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto,” he said.

The Chief Imam invited Muslims, particularly those in and around Lagos Island, to observe Tarawih prayers at the Lagos Central Mosque once Ramadan begins and called on the faithful to pray for Lagos State and Nigeria throughout the holy month.

Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i echoed these positions, stressing that no individual has the authority to declare the start of Ramadan independently.

Speaking at a pre-Ramadan seminar in Surulere, Lagos, themed ‘Ramadan: Mercy to Mankind’, Sheikh Shafi’i reminded the Muslim community that authority to announce Ramadan rests with recognised leaders, particularly the Sultan of Sokoto.

“Leaders in Islam, whether they are called ameer, waali, or qaadi, are vested with the authority to direct the start of fasting. Muslims must report moon sightings to these leaders, who have the exclusive right to approve them,” he said, citing precedents from the Prophet Muhammad’s time.

Sheikh Shafi’i also cautioned against attempts to bypass the Sultan’s leadership, emphasising that Islam unites Muslims beyond tribal or regional divisions.

Highlighting the Sultan’s efforts, he commended initiatives to engage Yoruba Muslim leaders, establish a national moon-sighting committee, and provide accurate instruments for moon observation across Nigeria, including Lagos.

Speakers at the CIO seminar also underscored the spiritual significance of Ramadan.

Sheikh Isa Siddiq reminded attendees that fasting cultivates taqwa (God-consciousness), curbs sinful urges and encourages charity and community service.

“Ramadan builds character and strengthens the habit of doing good,” he said, urging Muslims to care for the poor, widows, the sick and support mosques.

The event ended with a collective call for unity, obedience to established Islamic leadership and adherence to the Sunnah in observing Ramadan across Nigeria. (Nigerian Tribune)