Ramadan 2025 Moon Sighting Highlights: Crescent Not Sighted In India, Ramadan To Begin From March 2

Shahi Imam Shaban Bukhari announced that the first Roza (fast) will be observed on Sunday, 2nd March

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.

Malaysia announces that Sunday, March 2, is the first day of Ramadan.

Saturday, March 1, will mark the first day of Ramadan in Indonesia.

Riyadh Public Transport has announced extended operating hours for the Riyadh Metro and public transport buses during the month of Ramadan to accommodate commuters observing the fasting period, reported Gulf News.

The Riyadh Metro will run until 2am on all days except Friday, when service will extend until 3am.

On Fridays, the metro will begin operations at 12pm instead of the usual morning schedule. Public transport buses will operate daily from 6.30am to 3am, providing late-night accessibility for residents and visitors.

The Islamic Centre of India has launched a ‘Ramadan Helpline’ to assist people in accessing information about various practices related to Ramzan, including roza, sehri, namaz, sadqa, iftar, taraweeh, and more.

In Australia, the first day of Ramadan would be observed on March 1, 2025, according to The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), reported Mint.

In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Dr. Lama Dalloul, Clinical Dietician at Bioniq Middle East, shared key strategies for staying nourished and energized throughout the month.

On February 17, the Telangana government announced shorter working hours for Muslim employees during Ramadan. The Chief Secretary issued an order allowing Muslim workers to leave work an hour earlier throughout the fasting month. Roza is expected to start on March 1 or 2, depending on the moon sighting.

According to astronomers from the International Astronomical Centre in Abu Dhabi, the crescent moon is expected to be sighted on Friday

Ramadan or Ramzan, a month which is considered the biggest test of prayer, patience, goodness and self-restraint, is about to begin. For every Muslim, it is not just a ritual, but a golden opportunity to bring oneself closer to Allah.

The moon sighting will take place around 6:00 PM (Riyadh time), coinciding with sunset, which means that in India, the announcement regarding the start of Ramadan will be made around 7:30 PM. Ramadan generally begins one day later in India.

According to Dr. Amina Hassan, cucumber slices, chia seeds, carrots, lemon, ginger and beetroot will be required to prepare it. The ingredients will have to be soaked in water for around two to three hours and then they can be consumed during the non-fasting hours, as per Dr. Amina.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is set to begin soon. Throughout the holy period, the Muslim community across the world engross themselves in spiritual acts, fasting and praying for straight 30 days. One of the most sacred times for Muslims, the month is all about devotion which they spend trying to connect with their loved ones, family and community.

In Saudi Arabia, the moon is expected to be sighted on Friday.

During this time, fasting is meant to be a means for spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and devotion.

“Ramadan is a perfect time to reset and reconnect with yourself. It’s an opportunity to be mindful of every activity you engage in. Prepare your body by gradually adjusting your eating schedule in the days leading up to the fasting month,” Dr Lama Dalloul, Clinical Dietician at Bioniq Middle East, told Al Arabiya English.

Usually, moon sighting in Saudi Arabia takes place a day before it happens in India.

A powerful bomb exploded at a mosque within a pro-Taliban seminary in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least five worshippers and wounding dozens of others ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan, according to local police.

The blast occurred in Akkora Khattak, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Abdul Rashid, a district police chief said.

He said officers are investigating, and the dead and wounded are being transported to hospitals.

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court urged the citizens to observe crescent moon on the evening of Friday. If the moon is sighted in Saudi Arabia today evening, Ramadan will begin on Saturday, otherwise the holy month will commence on Sunday.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered the holiest month for Muslims.

Pakistan’s Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) announced that gas supply will remain suspended from 9 am to 3 pm and 10 pm to 3 am during Ramadan, reported ARY News.

Moon sighting is an important part of Ramadan, as depending on the time of sighting, Ramadan begins.

It’s not uniformly observed around the world — the start date can vary country to country and can even be different mosque to mosque in the same city. But what unites all Muslims is the observance of the new crescent moon in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

For instance, in Saudi Arabia, where Islam was first established by the prophet Mohammed in the 7th century, that new moon is tentatively expected to be visible on the evening of February 28, and thus Ramadan would begin on Saturday, March 1.

Thousands of miles to the east of Saudi Arabia, in Indonesia, the angles of lunar visibility are different, and they’re expecting to begin on Sunday, March 2.

Maulana Farangi of Islamic Centre of India urges the people to avoid the use of loudspeakers during Seheri.

Australia has officially confirmed that Friday, 28 February, will be the final day of Sha’ban, and Saturday, 1 March, will mark the beginning of Ramadan. The announcement was made by Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, the Grand Mufti of Australia, in collaboration with the Australian Fatwa Council, the Federal Council of Imams, and the Council of Fatwa and Sharia Arbitration, Gulf News reported.

Certain individuals are exempt from fasting during Ramadan, including young children, the elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, travellers, and those who are ill. Islam provides allowances for these people, recognising their health and well-being as a priority. They may either make up the fast later or offer compensation in other forms, such as feeding the poor.

During Ramadan, all adult Muslims who are physically and mentally capable are required to fast. This involves refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and other physical activities from Fajr (pre-dawn) to Maghrib (sunset). However, exceptions are made for those who find fasting difficult.

On February 17, the Congress-led Telangana government announced that it would reduce working hours for Muslim employees during the fasting month of Ramzan.

The state’s Chief Secretary had issued an order allowing Muslim workers to leave an hour earlier during Ramzan, which is set to begin on March 1 or 2, depending on the moon sighting. The measure applies to Muslim teachers, contractual workers, outsourcing staff, and public sector employees.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a holy month observed by Muslims around the world. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset by refraining from food and drink throughout the day.

The fast begins with Sehri (a pre-dawn meal) and ends with Iftar (evening meal) to break the fast. Ramadan is not just about staying hungry but a golden opportunity to bring oneself closer to Allah. READ MORE

– Fuel Up With Nutrient-Rich Suhoor: Opt for healthy fats, protein, and high-fibre fruits and vegetables to keep you full longer.

– Hydrate Well: Focus on drinking water and non-caffeinated beverages instead of coffee or tea.

– Take It Easy & Listen to Your Body: Pace yourself and engage in light activities like walking or stretching to boost energy.

– Be Mindful Of Portion Sizes At Iftar: Start with water and dates, followed by small portions of appetizers and meals, eating slowly.

– Plan For Post-Fast Snacks: Choose small, balanced snacks after iftar to prevent sluggishness and maintain energy levels.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched the Ramadan lights display in central London, marking the third consecutive year the British capital has showcased this festive illumination. Khan, in a post on X, said the display will light up a vibrant area of the city as a celebration of Ramadan and a symbol of London’s diversity.

In India, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali of the Markazi Chand Committee in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow is responsible for moon sighting and announcing the start of Islamic months like Ramadan in India. The Markazi Chand Committee is one of the leading organisations in India that officially declares the start and end dates of Ramadan based on moon sighting reports.

However, Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Sadar Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Deccan, also known as the Moon Sighting Committee, confirms the official start of Ramadan based on moon visibility reports.

For Pakistan, Ramadan will commence on March 1, 2025. The Sehri ends at 5:25 AM on the first day of Ramadan while Iftar is scheduled for 6:18 PM.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Bangladesh next month to attend an Iftar with Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, as confirmed by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric. During his trip from March 13 to 16, Guterres will also visit Dhaka to meet with Muhammed Yunus, the head of the interim administration.