Names of the countries that will observe the crescent moon of Ramadan 1446/2025 on Friday, February 28, 2025

Arab Weather - Muslims around the world are awaiting the sighting of the crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1446 AH on the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025 (corresponding to Shaaban 29, 1446 AH), to determine the date of the beginning of the holy month.

The start date of Ramadan according to astronomical calculations

Astronomical calculations and legal sightings confirmed that the beginning of the month of Sha’ban coincided with Friday, January 31, 2025 in most Islamic countries, including:

• Arab countries: Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania.
• Other Islamic countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Time difference and its effect on crescent sighting

Due to the time difference between countries, sunset times vary, which affects the possibility of seeing the crescent in each region:

• Indonesia and Malaysia: GMT+7 to GMT+8
• Pakistan and Bangladesh: GMT+5 to GMT+6
• Iran: GMT+3.5
• Arab countries: ranges from GMT+2 to GMT+4 depending on geographical location

This disparity may lead to a difference in the beginning of Ramadan between some countries, as some areas may be able to see the crescent moon before others.

The decision is pending the official announcement.

Based on the sighting of the crescent moon on the evening of February 28, 2025, the Sharia and astronomical bodies in each country will announce whether Saturday, March 1, 2025 is the last day of Sha’ban or the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.