When does Ramadan start in 2025?

Arab Weather - There are only a few months left until the advent of the month of Ramadan for the year 1446 AH / 2025 AD, and astronomical calculations indicate that its first day will be on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

The crescent moon of Ramadan will be sighted after sunset on Friday, Sha’ban 29, 1446 AH, corresponding to February 28, 2025, to determine the exact date for the start of fasting.

How do Islamic countries determine the beginning of the holy month?

Many Arab and Islamic countries rely on the legal sighting to determine the beginning of the month of Ramadan, using astronomical observatories in compliance with the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace:

“Do not fast until you see the crescent moon, and do not break your fast until you see it. If it is obscured from you, then estimate it.”

It is expected that Islamic countries will call for the sighting of the Ramadan crescent on the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025, to officially announce the beginning of the holy month after verifying the legal sighting.

Ramadan Crescent Sighting 2025 in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court will hold an official session to sight the Ramadan crescent in the Hawtah Sudair area north of Riyadh, where famous visionaries will observe the crescent using the latest astronomical equipment. This procedure is part of the annual tradition followed by the Kingdom to determine the start of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

Countries rely on astronomical calculations to determine Ramadan 2025

Unlike some Arab countries, Turkey relies on astronomical calculations to determine the beginning of the month. According to the calendar of the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey, Saturday, March 1, 2025 will be the first day of Ramadan , while Saturday, March 29, 2025 will be the last day, making Sunday, March 30, the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

Number of fasting hours in Ramadan 2025

Fasting hours vary between Islamic countries, with the first days of Ramadan starting with shorter fasting hours, estimated at around 13 hours in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. As the holy month progresses, fasting hours will gradually increase to around 14 hours by the end.

Muslims around the world will notice this gradual increase in the number of fasting hours, as the first day of Ramadan will be the shortest, while the last day will be the longest, reflecting the natural change in day length as the days pass.