The start and conclusion of each month in the Islamic calendar are set through the sighting of the crescent moon, which occurs shortly after the new moon.
Ramadan holds immense significance in the Islamic faith, representing a time of purification, self-discipline, and spiritual growth for the Muslim community worldwide.
It is marked by fasting for a month from dawn until sunset, known as Roza, and the end of Ramadan is marked by a celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast), which is one of Islam’s two major holidays; here’s all you need to know.
Muslims believe that in the Quran, Allah commands His followers to pay the ‘Zakat’ and ‘Fitra’ before offering the Eid prayers of gratitude to Allah.
According to the lunar Islamic calendar, Ramadan in 2025 is expected to begin on the evening of February 28 (Friday), contingent upon the sighting of the crescent moon after 6:00 PM.
However, this date is tentative; it might instead start on March 1 (Saturday) or possibly March 2 (Sunday), as the official start date of Ramadan will be determined based on astronomical calculations and the traditional sighting of the moon.
If the moon is sighted on February 28, fasting in Saudi Arabia and the UAE will commence on March 1. If the moon is not sighted, Ramadan will begin on March 2.
In South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the moon sighting occurs a day later.
The date for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, will also depend on the lunar cycle and is anticipated to fall on March 30 or 31, 2025.