Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the holiest periods for Muslims around the world. In 2025, the global Muslim community anticipates a rare alignment in the moon sighting for the beginning of Ramadan.
For the first time in recent years, Muslims in countries like India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and those in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, will be looking for the crescent moon on the same day. This is due to the fact that these countries all began the month of Shabaan on the same date, creating a unified moment for the start of Ramadan.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and various moon sighting committees, including those in India, Pakistan, and other countries, have confirmed that Muslims should observe the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025, for the sighting of the crescent moon.
This corresponds to the 29th of Shabaan 1446 AH. If the crescent moon is visible after the evening prayer, Taraweeh prayers will begin that night, marking the start of Ramadan with the first fast set for Saturday, March 1, 2025. However, if the moon is not sighted, Ramadan will begin a day later, on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, President of the Markazi Chand Committee and Shahi Imam of Lucknow, declared that the moon for the holy month of Ramadan was not sighted today, 29th Shaban 1446 AH, corresponding to 28th February 2025. Therefore, the first day of Ramadan will be observed on 2nd March 2025
UAE will become the first country in the world to use drones to help sight the Ramadan crescent moon, the UAE Council for Fatwa announced on Friday.
The Bangsamaro Darul Ifta’ conducted its annual moonsighting event, tonight, February 28, to determine the start of the holy month of Ramadan. As the crescent moon was not sighted, it declared that the fast for Ramadan will begin on Sunday, March 2.
Brunei has announced that Sunday, March 2, will mark the first day of Ramadan.
