Ramadan 2025 duration and fasting hours revealed

Abu Dhabi: With only a few days left until the arrival of Ramadan 2025/1446, astronomical calculations indicate that the Holy Month will begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The crescent moon will be observed after sunset on Friday, February 28, corresponding to 29 Sha’ban 1446, to confirm the exact start date of fasting.

As is widely known, many Arab and Islamic countries rely on official moon sighting using astronomical observatories, in accordance with the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Do not fast until you see the crescent, and do not break your fast until you see it. If it is obscured, then estimate it.”

Islamic nations are expected to announce official moon sighting efforts on that Friday evening, confirming the start of Ramadan based on the verified sighting.

Speaking to Gulf News, Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society and member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences, explained that Ramadan 2025 will last 30 days, with fasting hours reaching 13 hours daily.

He also noted that eastern parts of the UAE will experience earlier Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (breaking of fast) compared to western regions, with a time difference of around 20 minutes.

Crescent moon and moon sighting details

Al-Jarwan said the new moon will be born following the conjunction of the sun and moon on Friday, February 28, at 4.45am UAE time. By sunset that day, the moon will be at an altitude of 6 degrees and will be 13 hours and 35 minutes old. The moon will set 31 minutes after sunset, making it possible to observe the crescent. Based on astronomical calculations, Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1.

Eid Al Fitr

According to Al-Jarwan, the crescent moon of Shawwal 1446 (marking the end of Ramadan) will be born on Saturday, March 29, at 2.58pm UAE time.

At sunset that evening, the moon will be barely above the western horizon and will set only five minutes after sunset, making it difficult to observe. This suggests that Ramadan will complete 30 days, and Eid al-Fitr will fall on Monday, March 31, based on astronomical predictions.

Fasting hours and regional differences

• The fasting period (from dawn to sunset) will be approximately 13 hours at the beginning of Ramadan.

• By the end of the month, fasting hours will extend to around 13 hours and 42 minutes in the UAE.

• There is a time difference of around 20 minutes between the easternmost regions (such as the East Coast) and the westernmost areas (such as Sila and Al Ghuwaifat) due to differences in sunrise and sunset times.

Expected weather conditions

Al-Jarwan also provided insights into the general weather conditions during the holy month. Temperatures at the start of Ramadan will range between 18°C and 29°C. By the end of Ramadan, temperatures will rise to 21°C to 34°C. The average monthly rainfall is expected to be between 18mm and 24mm, with increased chances of springtime atmospheric disturbances in the second half of Ramadan.

Looking ahead, Al-Jarwan noted that from 2030 to 2033, Ramadan will align with the winter solstice, making it the shortest fasting period in the Northern Hemisphere.

Notably, in 2030, Ramadan will occur twice in the same calendar year. While Ramadan 1451 will begin on January 5, 2030, Ramadan 1452 will begin on December 26, 2030, said Al-Jarwan.