When Ramadan And Easter Are In 2025 — And Why They’re Split By Two Eclipses
The crescent moon appears above the southern Iraqi city of Basra on the first day of the Islamic … [+]
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan and Easter in the Christian calendar are just two major religious festivals determined by the moon.
The first one is Ramadan, which will begin this weekend — though the exact time is still unknown. Easter comes in April this year. However, a “blood moon” total lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse will occur between the two occasions.
Here’s how the moon determines Ramadan and Easter.
Ramadan — a month traditionally associated with dawn-to-sunset fasting — will begin on the evenings of Friday, Feb. 28, Saturday, March 1, 2025, or even (possibly) Sunday, March 2, 2025. Why the mystery? The beginning (and end) of each month of the Islamic calendar is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon right after the new moon. Ramadan is the ninth month.
With a new moon (when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, so lost in its glare) occurring on Thursday, Feb. 27, a crescent moon will appear very low and very slim in the western sky just after sunset on Friday, and slightly higher and brighter on Saturday and Sunday. This event is known as the Ramadan Moon.
Since the Islamic calendar follows a 354-day lunar year (12 orbits of Earth by the moon), each month lasts 29.5 days and the dates shift about 11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. So Ramadan will next begin on Feb. 17 or Feb. 18, 2026.
This pattern is familiar to astronomers since all moon-related events do so. For example, full moons occur 11 days earlier each year. It’s the same with eclipses (there was one last April 8, 2024, in North America; this year’s is on March 29).
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The total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, 2025, and the partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025, are unrelated to Ramadan. However, their timings coincide. While the total lunar eclipse — best seen in North and South America — will occur halfway through Ramadan, the solar eclipse will effectively end Ramadan.
Visible at sunrise in eastern parts of North America as an eclipsed sunrise and in mid-morning across Europe, about 94% of the sun will blocked by the moon close to its maximum in Canada.
Since a solar eclipse by definition occurs at new moon, observers will be outside looking west just after sunset on Sunday, March 30 and Monday, March 31, 2025, looking for the new moon. It’s known as the Shawwal Moon. Its sighting will signal the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, a holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
The moon’s phases also play a role in Western Christianity, with the date of the first full moon following the spring equinox vitally important in determining the date of Easter.
In Western Christianity, Easter Sunday occurs on the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Since the equinox is on March 21, the next full moon is the Pink Moon on April 13, with Easter therefore observed on the following Sunday. The moon that determines Easter is called the Paschal Moon. Western Christianity’s Easter 2026 will occur on April 5, 2026.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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When Is Ramadan In 2025?
When Is Ramadan In 2026?
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Ramadan 2025 Date: Saudi Arabia, India, UAE, Pakistan & World Timings
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Saudi Arabia Prepares for Ramadan 2025: Moon-Sighting, Banking Hours, and Special Financial Services for Pilgrims and Umrah Travelers
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Saudi Arabia has officially called on residents to report sightings of the Ramadan crescent moon on Friday, marking the beginning of the Islamic holy month. The announcement follows a long-standing tradition in Islamic astronomy, where the sighting of the new crescent moon determines the start of Ramadan.
According to the Jeddah Astronomy Society, the last quarter moon of Shaban was visible from midnight on February 19, with the moon reaching its last quarter phase on Thursday, February 20, at 8:32 p.m. Makkah time. The lunar cycle’s transition towards conjunction will determine the precise beginning of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on the evening of March 9, 2025, subject to moon-sighting confirmation.
The Saudi Supreme Court has urged residents across the Kingdom to observe and report any sightings of the crescent moon, a key step in determining the start of fasting.
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has announced revised operating hours for banks and financial institutions during Ramadan 2025, ensuring accessibility for residents, travelers, and business operations throughout the fasting month.
SAMA also outlined the official banking holidays for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, ensuring continued access to financial services in key areas:
Despite public holidays, banks, exchange centers, and payment service providers in Makkah, Madinah, and border crossings will remain operational to accommodate pilgrims and Umrah travelers. Select branches in high-traffic areas will also operate during Eid to ensure uninterrupted financial services.
Saudi Arabia expects millions of Umrah travelers during Ramadan 2025, with Makkah and Madinah experiencing a surge in visitors. To support the increasing demand for financial transactions, SAMA has directed banks to:
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, meaning the start of each month is determined by the visibility of the crescent moon. The significance of moon-sighting lies in its role in establishing religious observances such as Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr, and Eid Al-Adha.
The process of determining the first day of Ramadan involves a combination of astronomical calculations and traditional moon-sighting methods. While some Islamic countries rely solely on astronomical data, Saudi Arabia and many Gulf nations adhere to both scientific and human observations to ensure accuracy in determining the Islamic month.
Ramadan is considered one of the most spiritually significant months for Muslims worldwide, with many choosing to perform Umrah in Makkah during this period. Saudi Arabia is preparing for an unprecedented influx of visitors, with expectations of:
Saudi authorities have implemented airport facilitation measures, expanded visa processing, and increased transport capacity to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Saudi Arabia’s announcement aligns with other Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Bahrain, which have also adjusted their work hours and financial services for Ramadan.
The UAE recently announced reduced working hours for the private sector during the fasting month, emphasizing the region’s commitment to balancing religious observance with economic activities.
Ramadan is not only a sacred religious period but also an important economic driver for Saudi Arabia’s hospitality, tourism, and retail sectors.
The surge in Umrah pilgrims and visitors translates to:
As Saudi Arabia awaits the confirmed moon-sighting for Ramadan 2025, Muslims around the world will also be preparing for the start of the holy month. Religious scholars and astronomy experts will continue to monitor the moon’s position to verify its visibility on March 9, 2025, which is expected to mark the beginning of fasting.
Saudi Arabia remains committed to ensuring smooth financial transactions, seamless pilgrim services, and a well-organized Ramadan experience for residents and visitors alike.
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Tags: banking hours Ramadan, Eid financial services, Islamic calendar news, Ramadan 2025 Saudi Arabia, saudi arabia, Saudi central bank, Saudi moon-sighting announcement, Umrah travel banking
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