Which countries will sight Ramadan crescent on Feb. 28, 2025?
Muslims worldwide are eagerly awaiting the sighting of the Ramadan crescent for the year 1446 AH on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, corresponding to the 29th of Sha'ban, to determine the first day of the holy month.
Astronomical calculations and religious observations confirmed that the start of Sha'ban fell on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in most Muslim countries, including Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Time Zone Differences and Their Impact on Crescent Sighting
Due to the time zone differences between these countries, sunset times and the possibility of seeing the crescent will vary. Here are some of the time differences between these countries at sunset on Feb. 28, 2025:
- Indonesia and Malaysia: GMT+7 to +8
- Pakistan and Bangladesh: GMT+5 to +6
- Iran: GMT+3.5
- Arab Countries (Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania): Between GMT+2 and GMT+4, depending on geographical location.
Because of this time difference, some countries may be able to sight the crescent earlier than others, potentially causing a variation in the start date of Ramadan in different nations.
Therefore, the crescent will be observed on the evening of Feb. 28, 2025, to determine whether Saturday, March 1, 2025, will be the completion of Sha'ban or the first day of Ramadan, based on the announcements from the religious and astronomical bodies in each country.
