Today is 27th of Sha'baan 1438AH corresponding to 23rd of May 2017
RAMADAN MAY AND MAY NOT START ON SATURDAY
Searching for the appearance or otherwise of the moon on the 29th day of every lunar month is Islamically fundamental. To begin Ramadan, therefore, the search exercise is fundamentally key. Jettisoning it in the name of technology is inappropriate. This is not to say that Islam doesn't reckon with the fast-growing age of technological advancement.
The search for the crescent, according to scholarly submissions, may be done using a technological tool or machine, such as the astronomical binoculars. This is in order, and is largely in tandem with the practice during the life of the holy Prophet where the sahaabah would all be on the look-out for the birth of the new moon on the 29th of Sha'baan, even though it was with their naked eyes.
Fixing up the first day of Ramadan in the name of technology or what the League of Imams said without recourse to the aforementioned is tantamount to flouting the laid down practice of the one to whom fasting was sent through. You cannot know Oso's mother better than Oso, apparently.
In Nigeria, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'd Abubakr has a Moon-sighting Committee whose duties aren't limited to Ramadan. Scholarly members of the said committee do a non-stop work every month - they search for the new moon and report to the NSCIA for its dissemination to the Nigerian Muslims.
By the counting of the NSCIA, Friday 26th of May, 2017 will be the 29th day of Sha'baan 1438AH. This implies, therefore, that the moon will be searched for this coming Friday. And that Ramadan 1st will be Saturday the 27th if sighted, or Sunday the 28th if not sighted. This was the way of the salaf - the pious predecessors.
Kay Yusuf sanni