The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has confirmed that Ramadan fasting will commence on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin by the Emir’s Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona.
According to the statement, the Emir’s decision aligns with the position of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
Arowona explained that the development followed a meeting of the Ilorin Emirate Council and the Council of Ulama at the Emir’s palace, during which the Emir held a telephone conversation with the Sultan.
He said the Sultan confirmed that the new moon had been sighted in Saudi Arabia and the Nguru Emirate.
The meeting was attended by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, the Imam Gambari of Ilorin, and other members of the Kwara Council of Ulama.
Other traditional title holders present included the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Balogun Ajikobi, Baba Isale, Ajanasi Agba, Magajin Ngeri, Galadima, Sarkin Malami and Makama of Ilorin.
Arowona said the Emir expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Government and residents for sustaining peace across the state.
He urged Muslims to extend charity to the less privileged throughout the holy month.
The Imam Imale prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the Muslim Ummah the full benefits of Ramadan fasting and fulfil His promises to the faithful.
Special prayers were also offered for the repose of the late Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir, as well as for Prof. Yusuf Badmas, former Dean of the Postgraduate School at the University of Ilorin, who recently passed away.