Moroccan Astronomer Predicts Possible Dates for Start of Ramadan 2025

"If the month of Sha’aban has 30 days, Ramadan will probably start on March 2. On the other hand, if Sha’aban ends at 29 days, the holy month will begin as early as March 1," said Abdelhafid Bani in a statement to Hespress. According to his explanations, the two hypotheses remain valid and will depend on lunar observations. It is "impossible to decide with certainty at this stage," he assured.

Bani provides more details. "The first observation of the lunar crescent will take place on the evening of Tuesday, February 28. However, this observation will be difficult to the naked eye, unless the weather conditions are exceptionally favorable. It is even possible that the crescent will be completely invisible that evening," he further explained. He will add: "In the event that the crescent is not visible on February 28, the month of Sha’aban will be completed to 30 days. The crescent will then be clearly visible to the naked eye on March 1, confirming that Ramadan will begin on March 2".

The astronomer did not fail to address the regional specificities. "The crescent will be visible in some Middle Eastern countries on February 28, but only with the help of telescopes. In Morocco, although the observation is also difficult that evening, it is not totally excluded, and the two scenarios remain plausible," he explained. He will also specify that "the crescent will be present on the horizon on February 28, but the major difficulty lies in its visibility to the naked eye. This maintains an equivalent probability between a start of Ramadan on March 1 or March 2".

Last year, Ramadan had started on March 12 in Morocco.