Ramadan 2025: between tradition and astronomical calculations
A date expected worldwide
Muslims around the world are preparing to welcome the sacred month of Ramadan 2025. The exact date of the start of the fast is the subject of different forecasts depending on the country and the methods of observation.
The tradition of lunar observation
According to Islamic tradition, the beginning of Ramadan is determined by the observation of the lunar crescent. The official observation committees of the Moon in several Muslim countries will meet on Friday February 28 to try to see the crescent. If it is visible, fasting will start on Saturday March 1st. Otherwise, he will start on Sunday March 2.
Saudi directives
Saudi Arabia is actively preparing for Ramadan 2025. According to Sheikh Abdullah Bin Suleiman al-Manea, advisor to the Royal Court and member of the Council of Ulemas, the start of Ramadan is scheduled for March 1, with a duration of 29 days This year. The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs has already issued several guidelines, including the prohibition of live retransmissions and video recordings in mosques during prayers, including Taraweeh. This measure aims to preserve the sacredness of places of worship and the spiritual atmosphere. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Sudais, responsible for religious affairs of the two holy mosques, also announced the strengthening of the digitalization of operational plans to improve the experience of OMRA pilgrims during the sacred month. Astronomical calculations indicate that Ramadan will continue to fall during the winter months until 2031, before switching to fall for the following eight years.
Preparations in Morocco
In Morocco, preparations for the sacred month have already started with several government measures. Astronomers plan to start Ramadan for March 2, the observation of the lunar crescent promising to be “extremely difficult” according to local experts. In preparation for the sacred month, the Moroccan government has already made practical arrangements, in particular the return to the GMT time on Sunday, February 23 at 3 am, in accordance with decree 2.18,855. Moroccans will have to delay their 60 -minute watches. This time change, which will last until April 6, aims to facilitate the organization of fasting and prayers during Ramadan. In addition, a ministerial watch commission has been set up to ensure market supply and fight speculation during this period.
Scientific consultation in Tunisia
In Tunisia, the National Institute of Meteorology (INM) presented its report on the observation of the lunar crescent at the Mufti de la République on February 25, Cheikh Hichem Ben Mahmoud. This scientific approach, led by Yassine Zarrouki, head of the INM astronomy service, is part of the official determination process of the beginning of Ramadan. However, the final decision returns exclusively to Dar al-Ipta, the only authority authorized to officially announce the start of the lunar months in the Hegian calendar.
Algerian scientific expertise
In Algeria, the Astronomy Association Sirius, based in Constantine, has shed precise scientific lighting. According to its astronomical calculations published on February 24, the lunar conjunction will occur on Friday, February 28 at 1:45 am (local time). Although the official observation remains the prerogative of the National Commission, Sirius anticipates the start of Ramadan on Saturday March 1, 2025, noting that exceptionally this year, the sacred month will coincide perfectly with the month of March of the Gregorian calendar.
Decisions in Western countries
In Western countries, different approaches are adopted. In France, the French Council for Muslim worship (CFCM) has already set the start of Ramadan on Saturday March 1, 2025, based on calculation criteria adopted in 2013. The CFCM also announced that the Zakat El Fitr is set to 9 euros per person this year. In the United States, the Fiqh Council of North America announced, as of February 24, that the lunar crescent should be visible in the evening of February 28, thus fixing the start of Ramadan on March 1. The Council specifies that the prayers of Taraweeh will begin on the evening of February 28 in the American mosques.
Between lunar and solar calendar
This divergence of dates is explained by the fact that the Islamic calendar follows a lunar cycle, unlike the Gregorian calendar based on the sun. Thus, Ramadan can fall at different periods of the year, gradually moving from season to season. This peculiarity is an integral part of Muslim practice, allowing the faithful to live the experience of fasting in various climatic conditions over the years.
Community
To facilitate the organization of the faithful, many mosques and Islamic centers already offer special programs during Ramadan, including night prayers (Tarawih), community meals for the breakup of fasting (IFTAR) and charitable activities. These initiatives aim to strengthen the social and spiritual bond during this sacred month, regardless of the precise date of its start.
British debate
In the United Kingdom, the absence of an official observation committee raises debates. Some, like Imad Ahmed of the New Crescent Society, recommend local observation rather than following Saudi announcements: “It is time for British Muslims to observe their own sky rather than depending on foreign announcements.”
This situation highlights a deeper debate within the world Muslim community: the tension between tradition and modernity in religious practice. On the one hand, the physical observation of the lunar crescent represents significant historical continuity; On the other, astronomical advances allow precise calculations several years in advance. This duality reflects the contemporary challenges of Islam, between preservation of traditional rituals and adaptation to the requirements of modern life, particularly in Western societies where long -term planning is often necessary.
The Algerian approach, combining astronomical expertise and respect for official religious bodies, just like that of the American Fiqh Council, illustrate successful attempts to harmonize between science and tradition, thus offering models of coexistence between modern astronomical calculations and traditional practical practices observation.
