Millions of Muslims around the world commenced the holy month of Ramadan on Saturday, marking a period of intense spiritual reflection and communal solidarity. The start of Ramadan, observed on march 1, 2025, in Saudi Arabia and numerous other Arab and Sunni-majority nations, signifies the beginning of a month-long fast, increased prayer, and charitable giving. This annual event in the Islamic calendar unites believers in a shared spiritual journey, emphasizing devotion and empathy.

The commencement of Ramadan is intrinsically tied to the lunar cycle, specifically the sighting of the crescent moon. This sighting marks the end of Sha’ban, the eighth month of the Islamic (hijri) calendar. The practice of observing the moon holds deep historical and cultural importance, serving as a visual cue for the start of this sacred month.

Observing the ramadan fast is one of the five pillars of Islam, making it a fundamental obligation for practicing Muslims.This entails abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual activity from dawn until sunset. The fast is not merely a physical discipline but also a spiritual one, designed to cultivate empathy for those less fortunate and deepen one’s devotion to God.

beyond abstaining from physical needs,Muslims are strongly encouraged to increase their charitable giving during Ramadan. Donating to the poor is a key aspect of the holy month, reflecting the core Islamic values of compassion and social responsibility.This practice underscores the importance of community support and alleviating suffering.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s two holiest sites, announced the sighting of the crescent moon on Friday, paving the way for the start of Ramadan on saturday. Neighboring Gulf Arab countries quickly followed suit, solidifying a unified observance across the region.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), “the Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Saturday, is the first day of the month of Ramadan.” This announcement set the stage for millions to begin their fast.

Joining Saudi Arabia in commencing Ramadan on Saturday were Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, the palestinian territories, and Sudan. Lebanon’s Grand Mufti also declared Saturday as the first day of Ramadan for Sunnis, according to state media reports. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority contry, also began fasting on Saturday, demonstrating the widespread observance of this holy month.

However, not all countries began Ramadan on the same day. The office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, announced that Ramadan would begin on Sunday. Morocco,which has a Sunni Muslim population,also started observing the daytime fast on Sunday,according to its Islamic Affairs Ministry. Thes variations highlight the complexities of lunar observations and religious interpretations across different regions and Islamic traditions.

The variations in the start date underscore the complexities of lunar observations and religious interpretations. While Ramadan was expected to begin on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and some Western nations, the exact dates can shift slightly depending on the timing of the new moon sighting. These differences are a testament to the diverse approaches within the Muslim world to determining the start of this sacred month.

The sighting of the moon requires specific conditions. For the moon to be sighted, the crescent must set after the sun, allowing the sky to be dark enough to spot the small sliver of the new moon. This astronomical phenomenon is crucial in determining the start of the holy month, and its visibility is affected by factors such as weather conditions and geographical location.

In countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the moon is often sighted a day later, further illustrating the geographical variations in lunar visibility.This delay is due to the moon’s position in the sky relative to these locations, as well as atmospheric conditions that can obscure the sighting.

different nations rely on moon-sighters, typically astronomers and religious scholars, and also astronomical calculations to determine the start of Ramadan. This combination of scientific observation and religious authority underscores the importance of the event, blending traditional practices with modern techniques to ensure accuracy.

Though, this can also depend on global geography, time zones, and even local weather conditions, adding further complexity to the process. These factors contribute to the diverse range of dates observed for the start of Ramadan around the world.

Scott Kugle, a US-based MENA expert, told US news channel CNN that “there really is no central authority among Muslims.” He added,“It’s all very local,it depends on what mosque you go to,what your family network is.” This highlights the decentralized nature of Islamic practice and the influence of local traditions on religious observances.

Kugle highlighted that variations in the start date can occur even on a national or citywide level due to differing Islamic interpretations. As an inevitable result, the actual start date can sometimes fall one day earlier or later than the predicted date. This underscores the importance of understanding the diverse perspectives within the Muslim community.

While the sighting of the moon phase is central,Kugle noted that “in the Muslim world,you’ve got Sunnis,you’ve got Shi’a,and you’ve got others. And these groups may make their own determination of when the moon is sighted.And it might be on different days.” This further emphasizes the diversity of Islamic traditions and the varying approaches to religious observances.

The daylong fasting during Ramadan is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and remind them of the suffering of the poor. muslims are expected to strictly observe daily prayers and engage in increased religious reflection. They are also urged to refrain from gossip, fighting, or cursing throughout the holy month, fostering a spirit of peace and devotion.

Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb,the current Grand Imam of al-Azhar,issued a statement to the Arab and Muslim world to mark the start of Ramadan,emphasizing the importance of unity during the holy month. In a post on X, al-Tayeb urged Muslims worldwide “not to forget their Palestinian brothers,” advocating for justice for Palestinians and their right to return to their homeland amid Israel’s devastating war on Gaza. His message highlights the intersection of faith and social justice during this sacred time.

His statement also condemned “the unjust displacement plans that do not value the land and do not understand the meaning of belonging to the homeland,” referring to former US president Donald Trump’s Gaza ‘ethnic cleansing plan,’ which proposed that the US “take over” Gaza and expel Palestinians to reconstruct the territory as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This condemnation reflects the grand Imam’s strong stance against injustice and his commitment to defending the rights of Palestinians.

As head of the Sunni Islamic authority, al-Tayeb has consistently taken a firm stance against Israel’s brutal wars on Gaza and Lebanon, openly condemning Arab leaders for their inaction.his outspokenness underscores the importance of speaking out against injustice and advocating for the oppressed.

Unraveling the Mystery of Ramadan’s Start: A Global Viewpoint

Did you know that the start of Ramadan, a cornerstone of the Islamic faith, isn’t universally celebrated on the same day? This seemingly simple observation highlights a engaging interplay of astronomy, religious jurisprudence, and cultural practices.

Interview with Dr.Layla Al-Hasan,Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford

World-today-news.com: Dr. Al-Hasan, thank you for joining us. the article highlights the varying start dates of Ramadan across different countries. Can you explain the astronomical basis for this discrepancy?

Dr. Al-Hasan: The differing start dates for ramadan stem primarily from the reliance on lunar sightings to mark the beginning of the Islamic lunar month. Determining the start of Ramadan hinges on the visual sighting of the new crescent moon after the conjunction—the moment when the moon passes between the earth and the sun.This sighting, however, is dependent on several factors, including geographical location, atmospheric conditions, and the observer’s visual acuity. Areas with clearer skies and a lower horizon will frequently enough spot the crescent moon earlier than those with more light pollution or hazy conditions. Thus, what might potentially be visible in Saudi Arabia might not yet be discernible in, such as, Indonesia or India. This is why we see variations between the starting dates of Ramadan.

World-Today-News.com: What role do different schools of thought within Islam play in determining the start date?

Dr. Al-Hasan: the differing schools of thought within Islam, mainly Sunni and Shia, influence the interpretation of the lunar sighting criteria and the acceptance of astronomical calculations. While both sects base their observations on the crescent moon, methodologies and acceptance of calculations vary, sometimes resulting in different dates for the commencement of Ramadan.This dose not inherently reflect any discord between these sections of the Islamic community, but rather highlights the diversity of practical request within a generally agreed-upon body of religious law.Understanding the complexities of these interpretations is key to appreciating the global unity and diversity within the Muslim community during Ramadan.

World-Today-News.com: How does the reliance on both lunar observation and astronomical calculations impact the process of determining the start of Ramadan?

Dr. Al-Hasan: the question of lunar sighting versus astronomical calculations has been a topic of debate within Islamic scholarship for centuries. traditional methods emphasize direct visual confirmation of the crescent moon, while modern astronomical calculations offer a more precise prediction. A balance of both approaches has increasingly been adopted by various national and regional bodies. manny countries now utilize a combination of eyewitness accounts from qualified moon-sighters—frequently enough astronomers and religious scholars—alongside sophisticated astronomical calculations to arrive at a determination. This combined approach strives for accuracy and religious adherence, with the aim of providing a single, unified date for the start of ramadan on a national level.

World-Today-News.com: The article mentions the importance of charitable giving during Ramadan. Can you elaborate on this aspect of the holy month?

Dr. Al-Hasan: Zakat (charity) is one of the five pillars of Islam, and Ramadan serves as a heightened time for increased generosity among Muslims. This enhanced emphasis on giving reflects the core values of compassion, empathy, and social justice that the holy month promotes. It’s not simply about financial donations, though that’s a critically vital part; giving also manifests in acts of kindness, volunteering, and supporting those in need within the community. By highlighting the importance of Zakat during Ramadan, the community strengthens its bonds, addressing the needs of those less fortunate while fulfilling a vital religious obligation.

World-Today-News.com: What are some key takeaways for readers who want to better understand the complexities of determining the start date of Ramadan?

Dr. Al-Hasan: Here are some key takeaways regarding the start date of Ramadan:

• Lunar Variations: The start of Ramadan’s dependence on lunar visibility inherently leads to geographical variations in the commencement date.
• Religious Interpretations: Differing interpretations within Islamic schools of thought contribute to date discrepancies.
• Combating Misconceptions: It’s crucial to understand that date differences do not signify division, but reflect diversity in submission of a shared belief.
• Global unity: Despite differing start dates, the spirit of Ramadan remains universally unifying for the global Muslim community.

World-Today-News.com: Thank you, Dr. Al-Hasan, for these insightful answers. Your expertise has provided valuable clarification on a topic many find perplexing.