Fasting: Ramadan crescent moon sighted in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Royal Court announced on Friday evening that the country’s Supreme Court has officially declared Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446H.

The declaration follows the successful sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon at the Tamir and Hotat Sudair observatories, confirming the beginning of the holy month.

Earlier in the evening, local media reported that thick clouds initially obscured the sky at the Tamir Observatory before clearing up, allowing for a successful sighting of the crescent. One observer in Tamir noted that atmospheric conditions favored moon sighting, with intermittent clouds gradually giving way.

According to the Saudi Gazette, the Supreme Court had earlier urged the public to observe the Ramadan crescent on Friday, February 28, corresponding to the 29th of Sha’ban, and report any sighting, whether with the naked eye or telescopes, to the nearest court or observation center.

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Meanwhile, the UAE-based International Astronomy Center stated that the crescent moon was visible through telescopes in parts of West Asia, most of Africa, and southern Europe, and could be seen with the naked eye in much of the Americas.

The center further noted that, given the crescent’s visibility in various regions of the Islamic world on Friday, most countries are expected to declare Saturday, March 1, as the first day of Ramadan.

However, as of tradition, Muslims in Nigeria would have to wait on the Sultan of Sokoto, H.M. Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, for a directive on the commencement of Ramadan.

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