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: The start of the lunar (Hijri) month matched the beginning of the Gregorian month this year.
March 1, 2025 started both the sacred month of Ramadan and the Gregorian month.
Throughout the Islamic world different methods existed for determining the start date of Ramadan. Iran together with regions in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon announced that Ramadan started on Sunday March 2.
A first with drones
Astronomer Ibrahim Al-Jarwan stated that the UAE marked a global first by deploying artificial intelligence-powered drones for Ramadan crescent sighting this year. The UAE demonstrated its leadership role by implementing advanced technological solutions through this initiative.
The deployment of drones created a visual frame that encircled the moon’s real position in the sky to guide observers toward the precise location where the crescent moon would likely emerge. The frame remained synchronized with the moon’s movement throughout the observation period.
On Saturday, March 1, the majority of Arab nations made the predicted announcement for the beginning of Ramadan. The determination of when Shawwal begins will likely show more variation.
From an astronomical and scientific standpoint, moon sighting happens when Earth-based observers detect moonlight following the moon’s separation from the Sun. Al-Jarwan stated that the crescent observation starts after sunset on the 29th day of the Hijri month when this moment occurs after sunset and weather conditions permit.
Two official methods exist for establishing the start of the Hijri month.
1. Visual moon sighting: The visual moon sighting method requires observers to search for the crescent moon once the sun sets on the 29th day of the lunar month. The lunar month ends after 30 days if the new crescent moon remains undetectable through natural vision or telescopic observation. Observers have a limited time frame of less than an hour to spot the crescent before it becomes invisible. The moon becomes difficult to detect because it remains too close to the sun while sunlight continues to linger and only a small section of the lunar surface is lit. Major Islamic nations adhere to this method uniformly.
2. Astronomical calculations: This method depends on exact astronomical computations instead of direct observation which matches how Islamic prayer times are set. Islamic jurisprudence conferences conducted scientific discussions that resulted in defined conditions for crescent visibility. Researchers claim the new month can start without actual moon sighting when precise astronomical calculations determine its beginning to the exact minute and second.
Astronomical models enable us to forecast the start of Hijri months accurately for decades or centuries ahead.
Increasing hours of fasting
The National Centre for Meteorology in the UAE stated that March marks the final winter month. Astronomical spring begins on March 21 when the Sun aligns with the equator before moving north to the Tropic of Cancer leading to rising temperatures in the second half of March.
The centre announced that fasting hours starting at dawn (Fajr) until sunset which initially lasted around 13 hours at Ramadan's start are extending as time passes.
Residents of Abu Dhabi and nearby regions will experience fasting times reaching approximately 13 hours and 41 minutes by the month's end while other locations may observe minor differences.
The weather forecast predicts mild daytime temperatures throughout Ramadan which will experience a slight increase during the month's second half. Cool nights will be typical throughout Ramadan's first half as temperatures drop sharply just before dawn.
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