Ramadan 2025: These countries will begin fasting on March 2
India, Pakistan, Brunei, and more confirm the date
Moon-sighting committees across the world convened to observe the Ramadan crescent, a significant marker for the beginning of the Islamic holy month.
While some countries confirmed the sighting on Friday, February 28, others declared that the moon was not visible, officially pushing the start of Ramadan to Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Brunei: Brunei’s Ramadan schedule was confirmed by the UAE's Astronomy Centre, which announced that the holy month will commence on March 2.
Malaysia: Malaysia’s local media reported that the crescent was not spotted, setting the first day of fasting for the same date.
Philippines: The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos announced that no sightings were recorded on February 28. Consequently, authorities officially declared that Ramadan will begin on March 2.
Pakistan: In Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met in Peshawar to determine the start of Ramadan. Headed by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, the committee confirmed on Friday that no testimonies were received from across the country. Following this, it was officially declared that the first fast would fall on Sunday, March 2. Various zonal committees held independent meetings but received no reports of moon sightings.
India: The crescent moon remained unseen in India as well, prompting Jama Masjid authorities and Lucknow’s Shahi Imam to confirm March 2 as the beginning of Ramadan. The holy month, widely referred to as Ramadan in India, will start with the first fast on Sunday.
Ramadan 2025 begins in KSA, UAE, and more
Unlike the countries where the moon was not sighted, Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations including the UAE, confirmed the crescent's appearance on Friday, February 28. As a result, Ramadan in the GCC countries will start on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Ramadan 2025
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed through fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, and devotion. The duration of fasting varies between 29 and 30 days, depending on the sighting of the next crescent moon.