What’s So Unique About Ramadan 2025 That Is Expected To Start On March 1 According To The Hijri Calendar?

Ramadan is just a few days away and it is expected that the extraordinary celestial event of the first day of Ramadan will be falling on the first day of March! Yes, this is a rare alignment between the Hijri or Islamic lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar. This phenomenon occurs only once every 33 years and here’s all you need to know about the exquisite phenomenon.

Hijri Calendar Aligns With Gregorian Calendar This Ramadan 2025

A rare alignment between the Hijri calendar and the Gregorian calendar will be happening as Ramadan will fall on March 1. This was revealed by Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, who is the President of the Jeddah Astronomical Society. A testament to the interplay between lunar and solar cycles, the rare occurrence happens only once in every 33 years. It’s worth mentioning that, unlike the Gregorian calendar, the historical calendar is based on the phases of the moon, which are also known as the lunar cycle. Each of the Hijri months begins with the sighting of the crescent moon and it makes the Islamic year 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year.

The months gradually shift through seasons completing a full cycle approximately every three decades. Moreover, due to the continuous shift, the start of Ramadan, which is a sacred month for fasting, reflection, and prayer for Muslims, falls on a different date every year according to the Gregorian calendar.

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A Once In 33 Years Phenomenon

For 2025, Muslims throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are going to be ready to fight the crescent of the holy month on Friday evening of February 28. This will correspond to 29 Sha’ban 1446 AH in the Islamic calendar. Moreover, the moon sighting committee of Saudi Arabia usually observes the moon in the days, leading up to the expected start date of Ramadan.

So if the crescent moon is sighted on Friday evening, fasting will begin on Saturday, March 1. Moreover, if the Ramadan crescent is not sighted on the Friday after the Maghrib, then the holy month will begin on Sunday, March 2. It is important that anyone who says the Ramadan crescent moon from binoculars or through the naked eye must notify the court nearest to the location. They must record the testimony there as well.

So if the crescent moon is cited on Friday 28, this rare phenomenon will take place.

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