Muslims prepare for Ramadan 2025 amid rare astronomical event in 2030

Muslims worldwide are preparing to welcome the holy month of Ramadan 1446 AH, expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, according to the International Astronomical Center.

The crescent moon sighting will take place on Friday, February 28, with predictions indicating its visibility in several regions, ensuring a synchronized start for most Islamic countries.

What makes this decade unique is a rare astronomical occurrence in 2030—Ramadan will fall twice in the same Gregorian year, a phenomenon that happens roughly every 33 years. Based on calculations, Ramadan 1451 AH will start on January 4, 2030, while Ramadan 1452 AH will begin on December 26, 2030. This means Muslims will observe a total of 36 fasting days within a single year instead of the usual 30.

This happens due to the difference between the lunar Islamic calendar (about 354 days) and the solar Gregorian calendar (365 days), causing the Islamic calendar to shift back around 11 days each year.

The last time this event occurred was in 1997, and it will not happen again until 2063, making 2030 a unique and historic year for Muslims worldwide.