Ramadan likely to begin on March 1, 2025 according to astronomical calculations

Published: 28 October 2024

NT Bureau
Doha

With only a few months left until the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world are awaiting the official announcement of the beginning of the holy month, which is determined based on the sighting of the crescent moon or astronomical calculations.

The beginning of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new moon.

According to astronomical calculations, the month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, Al Jazeera reports, quoting the International Astronomical Center.

However, in Qatar and other Gulf countries, the beginning of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new moon.

It is expected that Islamic countries will call for the sighting of the crescent moon in the evening of the 29th day of Sha’ban, the Arabic month preceding Ramadan, according to the report.

However, some Islamic countries rely on astronomical calculations to determine the beginning of the month, especially in light of scientific progress that allows for high accuracy in determining the times of the crescent moon’s appearance, the report adds.

Some countries, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, rely on visual sighting of the crescent, while other countries, such as Turkey, rely on astronomical calculations.