• By Shibra Siddiqui
  • Fri, 28 Feb 2025 05:25 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Moon Sighting in Saudi Arabia: All eyes are on the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia as Muslims worldwide anticipate the beginning of the holy month today or tomorrow. The moon sighting on February 28 will determine the arrival of the auspicious month of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan in India typically commences a day after its beginning in Saudi Arabia, as the crescent moon is usually sighted nearly a day later in the Indian subcontinent. If a crescent is sighted on February 28, the first day of Ramadan may mark a rare alignment of the Islamic and Gregorian calendars.

When Will Ramadan Start In India?

The crescent of Ramadan is usually a day before in Saudi Arabia than in India. If the crescent is sighted today in Saudi Arabia, the month of Ramadan will begin on March 2, 2025, in India.

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Ramadan 2025 is exceptional as it will potentially mark the alignment of Hijri and Gregorian calendars, an occurrence that happens once every 33 years. 

This rare synchronization is possible because several countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, France, and Germany, all began the month of Shaban 1446 AH on the same day as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Palestine, Oman, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, and Egypt

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During the sacred month of Ramadan, popularly known as the month of fasting, Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset, do charity works in the form of Zakaat and Fitra. The fasting period is considered as the time to introspect and feed the soul.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, including Kalma (faith), Namaz (prayer), Zakaat (charity) Hajj (pilgrimage).