When Does Ramadan Start? A Guide to Moon Sighting and Islamic Calendar

It is important to know when does Ramadan start, because it is the month on which fasting is obligatory.

The start of Ramadan, one of the most anticipated and spiritually significant months in the Islamic calendar, sparks excitement and devotion among Muslims worldwide. But determining the exact date of Ramadan’s beginning is not always straightforward.

When does Ramadan truly begin? The answer is not always the same across the globe, but it’s always guided by tradition, science, and the collective spirit of unity.

The Islamic Lunar Calendar and Ramadan

• Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is one of the holiest months in Islam. It is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and communal worship for Muslims around the world.
• The fast, or sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and involves abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from sunrise to sunset. The dates of Ramadan change every year because the Islamic calendar is lunar.
• Ramadan is a time for spiritual growth, increased devotion, and philanthropy. Muslims are sure that it was during Ramadan that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the Qur’an.
• The last ten days of Ramadan, particularly the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), are greatly seen as a special time because they hold the potential to gain immense mercy and favors from Allah.
• The daily fast is broken with an iftar meal at sunset and the suhoor meal taken before fasting begins. Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, is a day of thanksgiving, feasting, and charity.

The Role of Moon Sighting in Determining Ramadan

The role of moon sighting in determining when does Ramadan start stands at the focal point of the Islamic lunar calendar, with the calendar relying on the lunar phase. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, the beginning of each month, such as Ramadan, relies on the sighting of the new moon.

How the Moon Sighting Identifies when does Ramadan start

1. Lunar Calendar: The Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon, and a month starts when the new moon is visible. Ramadan is the ninth month in this calendar. Since the lunar month is shorter than the solar month, the start of Ramadan varies by about 10–12 days each year in the Gregorian calendar.
2. Observation of the New Moon: Muslims rely on actual sightings of the new moon, which marks the advent of Ramadan, to announce the start of the Islamic month of Ramadan. This is done by eyewitnesses in various regions across the globe, and moon observation is communicated across countries and communities.

Worldwide and Local Observation

1. Local Sight to determine when does Ramadan start: It is announced in most Muslim-majority countries at the commencement of Ramadan only after local authorities or religious authorities verify the occurrence of the new moon in that area. This often happens to mark the beginning of Ramadan on different days in various countries or parts of a country.
2. Global Sighting: Some scholars and communities hold on to one moon sighting, so that if there is a sighting of the moon anywhere in the world (e.g., Saudi Arabia), the onset of Ramadan is celebrated throughout the world. But this is contested, and others find local sightings more suitable for maintaining tradition and authenticity locally.
3. Importance of Accurate Sighting: The accurate start of Ramadan is greatly important in Islam. It denotes the time from which fasting (sawm) begins and sets other acts of worship. The conclusion of Ramadan and celebrating Eid al-Fitr also follow the moon sighting.
4. Technological Advances: In other modern practices, satellite images and astronomical computations are used to predict the sighting of the new moon. These technological advances do not replace the orthodox practice of eyewitnessing the moon. Some rely on these predictions while others only rely on eyewitness accounts strictly.
5. Uncertainty of Start: As a result of different ways of sighting the moon (local or global), Ramadan may start a day or two earlier in the world. The first day of fasting may thus differ, yet the month as a whole is everywhere commemorated as one of fasting, praying, and contemplating.

Discover the fasting rules during Ramadan, and what is allowed and what is not!

Differences in Ramadan Start Dates Worldwide

When does Ramadan start? The start of Ramadan can differ worldwide depending on several aspects, including moon sighting criteria, geographical location, and religious practices among the various locations.

Although the same month for all Muslims, variations in its start dates lead to varying practices based on both traditional and modern methods. 

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The Importance of Following Local Scholars for Ramadan Start

Why should you know When does Ramadan start in your country? It is important for several reasons among which is:

1.  Avoiding Confusion

If different places establish their beginning of Ramadan based on different moon sightings, it might cause confusion or discrepancy among people. By following local scholars, a community will share the same beginning of Ramadan so that they all fast on the same date. This develops a feeling of unity and congregational worship throughout the month.

2. Adhering to Local Sighting

Why is it important to know When does Ramadan start in your country? The Islamic moon sighting is based on local eyewitness testimony. The Prophet (PBUH) also stated:

“Fast when you see it (the new moon) and break your fast when you see it.”

Local sightings are therefore considered the most authentic and credible source of determining the start of Ramadan. Relying on experts from the same area makes the moon sighting relevant to the geographical location.

Explore the Fasting in Ramadan rules and their importance!

Scientific Methods vs. Traditional Moon Sighting

Aspect	Traditional Moon Sighting	Scientific Methods
Basis	Eyewitness accounts of the new moon	Astronomical calculations of the moon’s position
Method	Physically observing the crescent moon	Predicting the moon’s visibility using technology
Accuracy	Subjective, dependent on weather and visibility	Precise and predictable
Unity	May cause local differences in the start of Ramadan	Can lead to global unity in Ramadan’s start
Connection to Tradition	Strong connection to Islamic tradition	Some feel it departs from traditional practices
Flexibility	Flexible, based on local conditions	Fixed, with advanced planning

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Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing when does Ramadan start in your country is of great importance. The onset of Ramadan relies on the observation of the new moon, which could vary with location, local practice, and whether calculations or actual moon sightings are used.

Most nations rely on local observations to begin it, but others take an international or predicted date. So although Ramadan will begin on different dates worldwide, Muslims everywhere share a common religious desire of fasting and devotion this sacred month.

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FAQs

What date is Ramadan 2026?

Ramadan in 2025 is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, and end on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

What are the rules of Ramadan?

The rules of Ramadan include fasting from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and sinful behavior, and engaging in increased prayer, charity, and reflection.

 When is eid al fitr 2025?

Eid Al Fitr is expected to be on Sunday 30th March 2025 or Monday 31st March 2025.