When Does Ramadan Start – 2025 Dates by Country

Ramadan 2025 is approaching, and millions of Muslims worldwide are seeking clarity on when the holy month will begin. The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar marks a period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection observed by an estimated 1.8 billion people globally.

Predictions indicate that Ramadan 1446 AH will start on March 1, 2025, across Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, based on the anticipated crescent moon sighting on February 28, 2025. However, the actual start date depends on local moon sighting conditions, which can cause variations between countries and regions.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Ramadan 2025 start dates by country, explains how the beginning is determined, and addresses common questions about the lunar calendar methodology that governs this significant religious observance.

When Does Ramadan 2025 Start?

Astronomical calculations and moon sighting predictions point to March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan in numerous countries. The astronomical new moon conjunction occurred on February 28, 2025, at 00:44 UTC, establishing the theoretical foundation for the month’s beginning.

How Is the Start of Ramadan Determined?

The determination of Ramadan follows a methodology rooted in Islamic tradition and practical observation. Unlike purely astronomical calculations, the start of Ramadan requires actual visual confirmation of the waxing crescent moon, known as the hilal, after sunset on the 29th day of Sha’ban.

The Crescent Moon Sighting Process

Islamic tradition, as referenced in the Qur’an (2:189), instructs believers to observe the crescent moon for determining months. Moon sighting committees across Muslim-majority countries conduct systematic searches on designated evenings, typically between 18:00 and 19:00 local time.

These committees, such as the Saudi Supreme Court and regional bodies like the UAE Moonsighting Committee and Islamic Society of North America, evaluate reports from trained observers positioned across various geographic locations. The criteria generally require the moon to be visible with an elongation exceeding 8 degrees and an altitude above 5 degrees at the time of observation.

Local Versus Global Sighting Practices

Different Muslim communities employ varying approaches to moon sighting. Some regions rely on local sightings within their borders, while others defer to announcements from Saudi Arabia or neighboring countries. This practice explains why Ramadan start dates can differ by one to two days across the global Muslim community.

The United Kingdom, for instance, typically follows sightings from Morocco or relies on local observations, while nations in the Arabian Gulf coordinate through the Saudi Supreme Court. The United States presents a unique case where multiple regional sighting committees operate independently, though many defer to the Fiqh Council of North America for authoritative guidance.

Ramadan Start Dates by Country

Predictions align across most sources for key countries, with moon sighting as the determining factor. The table below summarizes the anticipated start dates based on February 28, 2025, crescent observations.

Checking Local Ramadan Start Times

Residents of specific cities should consult local mosque announcements, regional Islamic centers, or official religious authority websites for confirmed dates. Local prayer time applications and calendar services also provide updated schedules that reflect regional sighting outcomes.

For those in North America, organizations like the Islamic Society of North America and regional sighting committees publish announcements through their official channels. European residents typically receive guidance from national mosque federations or the UK Moon Sighting Committee.

When Is the First Iftar and When Does Ramadan End?

The first iftar—the meal breaking the daily fast—occurs at sunset on the first day of Ramadan. For regions where Ramadan begins on March 1, 2025, iftar time falls between approximately 17:45 and 18:30 local time, varying by geographic location. The exact moment corresponds to the Maghrib prayer, which signals the end of the daily fasting period.

Eid al-Fitr: End of Ramadan

Ramadan is expected to end on March 29, 2025, if the month lasts 29 days, with Eid al-Fitr falling on March 30, 2025 (Sunday). This prediction applies to Saudi Arabia, the United States, and other nations that complete 29 days of fasting. If the month extends to 30 days, Eid al-Fitr would shift to March 31, 2025.

The precise end date remains contingent on the Shawwal moon sighting, which occurs on the 29th night of Ramadan. Official announcements from religious authorities typically confirm the expected Eid date in the days leading up to the month’s conclusion.

Ramadan Start Dates: A Five-Year Overview

Ramadan dates shift annually by approximately 10 to 12 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar, reflecting the lunar calendar’s 354-day structure. This progression means the holy month migrates through different seasons over multi-year cycles.

1. Ramadan 1442 AH (2021): April 13 – May 12, 2021
2. Ramadan 1443 AH (2022): April 2 – May 1, 2022
3. Ramadan 1444 AH (2023): March 23 – April 21, 2023
4. Ramadan 1445 AH (2024): March 11 – April 9, 2024
5. Ramadan 1446 AH (2025): March 1 – March 29/30, 2025

Historical records show that variations between countries were more pronounced in previous years. In 2024, Saudi Arabia began fasting before Oman by one day, illustrating how regional sighting differences create temporary desynchronization across the Muslim world.

The year 2025 represents an exceptional case where numerous countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and India, aligned their Ramadan start with Saudi Arabia’s announcement. This coordinated beginning was noted as highlighting unity within the global Muslim community despite typically occurring differences.

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear

While predictions provide valuable guidance, several factors introduce uncertainty into Ramadan start date determinations. The following comparison outlines established facts alongside areas where confirmation remains pending.

Understanding the Lunar Calendar Context

The Islamic calendar operates on lunar principles, with months beginning at sunset on the day when the crescent moon first becomes visible after the astronomical new moon. This system differs fundamentally from the solar Gregorian calendar, which governs most civil and commercial activities worldwide.

The Hijri calendar’s months—including Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal, and others—each contain 29 or 30 days, with the alternation determined by moon sighting rather than a fixed mathematical pattern. This approach ensures Islamic dates remain connected to celestial observations, maintaining a direct relationship between the calendar and observable astronomical phenomena.

Ramadan holds particular significance as the month during which the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The fast observed during this period involves abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib), accompanied by increased prayer, charitable acts, and spiritual reflection.

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.”

— Qur’an 2:183

Sources and Official Guidance

Several authoritative organizations provide moon sighting information and Ramadan date announcements. These bodies coordinate observations, evaluate sighting reports, and issue official guidance for their respective regions.

The Saudi Supreme Court calls upon all who witness the crescent moon of the month of Ramadan, whether at night or during the day, to testify before a court of law.

— Saudi Press Agency announcement regarding Ramadan 1446 AH

Regional authorities such as the UAE Moonsighting Committee, which confirmed March 1, 2025, using AI drone technology, demonstrate how modern tools supplement traditional observation methods. International organizations like Islamic Relief and local mosque federations across North America and Europe provide accessible guidance for Muslim communities in their respective areas.

Astronomical sources, including specialized moon sighting websites, publish visibility curves and prediction models that help observers understand where and when the crescent might be visible following each new moon conjunction.

Summary

Ramadan 2025 is predicted to begin on March 1, 2025, across Saudi Arabia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and numerous other countries, based on the anticipated crescent moon sighting on February 28, 2025. The holy month corresponds to 1 Ramadan 1446 AH in the Islamic calendar and is expected to conclude around March 29-30, 2025, with Eid al-Fitr celebrations following the Shawwal moon sighting.

The start date determination relies on visual observation of the crescent moon by authorized committees, with actual confirmed dates varying by country depending on local sighting outcomes. Morocco, the Philippines, and Indonesia represent examples where observations on February 28 did not yield confirmation, resulting in fasting beginning on March 2 instead.

For those seeking confirmation of local start dates, consulting regional mosque announcements, official religious authority websites, or dedicated prayer time applications provides the most accurate information reflecting actual sighting results.

Historical context reveals that synchronized Ramadan beginnings, as anticipated for 2025, remain relatively rare. Understanding the lunar calendar methodology and the factors affecting moon visibility helps explain why dates occasionally differ between nations, even within the same geographic region.

Frequently Asked Questions