Millions of Muslims worldwide will celebrate the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Saturday, March 1, following the announcement that the new moon of the Hijri year had been sighted on Friday, 29th of Shaaban.

According to an official announcement from the Kingdom’s Supreme Court, the holy month will officially begin on Saturday, Al-Arabiya reported.

The kingdom’s moon-sighting committee had met earlier today to spot the crescent with the naked eye.

Egypt’s fatwa house announced Friday that the moon was sighted, accordingly Ramadan will start on Saturday.

UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and other countries would also start Ramadan on  Saturday. Muslims in Palestine, Jordan, and Yemen will also start Ramadan fasting on Saturday.

The Australian National Imams Council has officially declared that this year’s Ramadan will officially begin in Australia on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

On there other hand, Ramadan will start Sunday, March 2 in Brunei, Malaysia, and Japan.

Crescent was not sighted in India nor Pakistan on Friday. If the crescent was sighted on Saturday, they would start Ramadan fasting on Sunday.

A Holy Month

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.

Abdullah Bin Umar (RA) stated that: I heard Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) saying:

“Fast when you see the moon (Ramadan), and cease fasting when you see it (Shawwal) but if it is cloudy for you then count the month (as thirty days).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In another narration, the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“If it is cloudy for you, count out thirty days.” [Muslim]

AboutIslam.net wishes you all a happy and blessed Ramadan.