When is Ramadan 2025? Fasting duration & How Muslims spend the Holy Month
"Ramadan 2025 starts soon! Discover the dates, fasting duration, and how Muslims worldwide observe this sacred month with prayer, reflection, and community."
Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, observed by millions of Muslims worldwide through fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection. It is a time of self-discipline, devotion, and charity, marking the month when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
For Ramadan 2025, Muslims will begin fasting at dawn and break their fast at sunset for the entire month. But when exactly does Ramadan start, how long is fasting, and what traditions make this month so meaningful? Here’s everything you need to know about Ramadan 2025, its significance, and how it’s observed globally.
When does Ramadan 2025 start?
Ramadan 2025 will begin on Saturday, March 1, in Mecca. Since the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, Ramadan shifts approximately 11 days earlier each year. The start of the holy month is determined by the sighting of the new moon (hilal), which can be observed either by the naked eye or through astronomical calculations.
How long does Ramadan last?
The practice of fasting during Ramadan serves spiritual and social purposes. Photo: RNZ
Fasting lasts for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the next new moon appears, marking the beginning of the next Islamic month. In 2025, Ramadan is expected to end on March 30 with the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. This marks the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, a joyous celebration that concludes the month-long fast.
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
Fasting, or sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is observed from sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib). During this time, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and other physical needs to develop taqwa, or God-consciousness.
Fasting serves as a way to:
- Strengthen self-discipline and patience
- Deepen spiritual reflection and devotion to God
- Promote empathy for those who are less fortunate
Some individuals, such as children, the elderly, the sick, and travelers, are exempt from fasting
The last 10 nights of Ramadan & Laylat al-Qadr
The last 10 nights of Ramadan hold special significance, with the holiest night being Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Power). Though the exact date is unknown, it is believed to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights within the last 10 days.
On Laylat al-Qadr, Muslims believe that good deeds and prayers are multiplied in rewards, making it a time of intense spiritual devotion, reflection, and charitable acts.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr, or the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is a religious holiday observed on the first day of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan. Muslims celebrate by:
- Attending special Eid prayers at mosques or large gatherings
- Giving gifts or money (Eidi) to children and loved ones
- Enjoying festive meals with family and friends
- Donating to charity (Zakat al-Fitr) to support those in need
Eid al-Fitr in 2025 is expected to take place on or before April 9, depending on the moon sighting.