Why Ramadan is unique this year

Abu Dhabi: Is Ramadan 2025 any different?

Well, the first day of Ramadan which fell on Saturday, March 1, in most of the Islamic world, marked an unlikely coincidence this year: Both the lunar (Hijri) and Gregorian months began on the same day.

March 1, 2025, marked both the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan and the first day of the Gregorian month.

However, differences in determining the start of Ramadan remained across the Islamic world. Some countries, including Iran and parts of Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, declared that Sunday, March 2, was the beginning of Ramadan.

A first with drones

Speaking to Gulf News, astronomer Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, said, “In the UAE, for the first time globally, artificial intelligence-powered drones were used to assist in the sighting of the Ramadan crescent this year. This initiative reflects the UAE’s leadership in adopting innovative technological solutions. A fleet of drones was deployed to form a frame around the moon’s actual position in the sky, helping observers focus on the designated area where the crescent was expected to appear. This frame moved in sync with the moon’s position during the observation process.”

The vast majority of Arab countries aligned in announcing the start of Ramadan on Saturday, March 1, as predicted. However, greater variation is expected in determining the start of Shawwal.

“Scientifically and astronomically, moon sighting occurs when the moon’s light is visible from Earth after it separates from the Sun. If this moment happens after sunset and weather conditions are favourable, the process of observing the crescent begins after sunset on the 29th day of the Hijri month,” Al-Jarwan explained.

There are two recognised methods for determining the start of the Hijri month:

1. Visual moon sighting: This involves looking for the crescent moon after sunset on the 29th of the lunar month. If it is not visible to the naked eye or through optical instruments such as telescopes, the month is completed as 30 days. The observation window is usually brief—sometimes less than an hour—before the crescent disappears. In most cases, the moon is difficult to see due to its proximity to the sun, the lingering sunlight, and the small illuminated portion of the moon. This method is widely followed in most Islamic countries.

2. Astronomical calculations: This approach relies on precise astronomical calculations rather than direct observation, similar to how prayer times are determined. Specific conditions for crescent visibility have been established through scientific discussions at Islamic jurisprudential conferences. Some scholars argue that moon sighting is unnecessary if astronomical calculations confirm the start of the new month down to the exact minute and second.

Based on astronomical models, Hijri month beginnings can be predicted decades or even centuries in advance with high accuracy.

Increasing hours of fasting

The UAE’s National Centre for Meteorology noted that March is the last month of winter. Temperatures start to rise, particularly in the second half, as spring begins astronomically on March 21 when the Sun aligns with the equator before shifting northward toward the Tropic of Cancer.

The centre reported that the fasting duration—from dawn (Fajr) until sunset—which began at approximately 13 hours at the start of Ramadan, is gradually increasing.

By the end of the month, fasting will last about 13 hours and 41 minutes in Abu Dhabi and surrounding areas, with slight variations depending on location.

The monthly forecast indicates that daytime temperatures during Ramadan will generally be mild, rising slightly in the latter half of the month. Nights will be relatively cool, particularly in the first half, with a noticeable chill before dawn.