The sighting of the Hilal, marking the beginning of Ramadan 1446 on March 1, 2025, was confirmed in Saudi Arabia, leading to widespread celebrations and greetings from around the globe.
This announcement has fostered a sense of unity and reflection among Muslims, with many expressing hopes for peace, spiritual growth, and blessings.
Notable figures, including political leaders, celebrities, and religious organizations, have shared messages of compassion, unity, and prayers for those in hardship, especially mentioning the situation in Gaza.
The community is preparing for a month of fasting, prayer, and charitable acts, with many wishing for a peaceful and prosperous Ramadan.
The holy month of Ramadan 1446 has officially begun in Saudi Arabia, with the crescent moon sighted earlier this evening, confirming the start of a sacred period of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims across the Kingdom and beyond.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced that Saturday, March 1, 2025, will mark the first day of Ramadan, following reports of the moon’s visibility at the Sudair and Tumair observatories.
The sighting aligns with expectations from the Supreme Court, which had called upon Muslims nationwide to observe the sky on the evening of Friday, February 28—corresponding to 29 Sha’ban 1446 AH in the Islamic calendar.
“The crescent moon has been sighted, and we are blessed to welcome Ramadan tonight,” said a spokesperson for the court, urging the faithful to begin Taraweeh prayers after Isha tonight and prepare for the first fast at dawn tomorrow.
This year’s Ramadan holds special significance as astronomical predictions suggested a rare global alignment, with many Islamic nations expected to commence fasting on the same day.
The International Astronomical Centre in Abu Dhabi had forecasted the crescent’s visibility on February 28, a projection now confirmed by Saudi Arabia’s traditional moon-sighting process. If the moon had not been sighted, fasting would have begun on Sunday, March 2, extending Sha’ban to a 30th day.
Across Saudi Arabia, preparations have been underway for weeks, with mosques filling with worshippers and families gathering to share meals after sunset.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development earlier announced reduced working hours for private-sector employees—six hours daily throughout the month—to accommodate the spiritual focus of Ramadan.
Public celebrations are expected to intensify after Iftar, with bustling markets and late-night gatherings becoming a hallmark of the season.
The announcement has reverberated globally, with countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait likely to follow Saudi Arabia’s lead, given their reliance on the Kingdom’s moon-sighting declaration.
“Ramadan 1446 begins tonight—may Allah accept our worship,” one user wrote, encapsulating the communal anticipation.
As the Islamic lunar calendar shifts approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year against the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan 1446’s alignment with March 1 marks a notable convergence, an event astronomers note occurs roughly every 33 years.
This synchronicity underscores the month’s universal resonance, uniting Muslims worldwide in a shared journey of devotion and discipline.
Religious authorities emphasized the importance of fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, as a time to purify the soul and strengthen community bonds.
With Taraweeh prayers set to commence tonight and the first fast beginning at Fajr tomorrow, Saudi Arabia steps into Ramadan 1446 with a spirit of reverence and unity.
