Ramadan 2025: Saudi Arabia calls on Muslims to sight Moon on February 28

Saudi Arabia has called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent for Ramadan on the evening of Friday, February 28, the Supreme Court announced on Wednesday.

The date corresponds to 29 Shaban AD in the Umm Al Qura calendar which has been developed by the country to determine dates and months.

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Islamic months in the Hijri calendar last up to 29 or 30 days.

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"The Supreme Court requests that anyone who sees it [moon] with the naked eye or through binoculars informs the nearest court and registers their testimony, or contacts the nearest centre to assist them in reaching the nearest court," the authority said in its statement.

It further added that it "hopes that anyone who has the ability to sight it will pay attention to this matter and join the committees formed in the regions for this purpose, and count the reward and recompense for participating."

The Moon sighting is considered to be an "act of righteousness and piety" which "benefits all Muslims", the court further stated.

If the Moon is spotted on Friday evening after the Maghrib prayer, Ramadan will commence on March 1. Whereas, if the crescent is not sighted, then the holy month will begin on March 2.

In the UAE, the country's International Astronomy Centre said Ramadan is likely to begin on March 1. Every year, faithful residents across the country await the moon sighting which determines the commencement of the holy month.

The UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources earlier announced official working hours for government employees in the country during the month of Ramdan. The hours have been adjusted to accommodate the needs of employees during the month.

For private sector employees in the country, working hours have been reduced by two hours per day during the holy month. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) further clarified that companies may apply flexible work patterns or remote work within the limits of the daily working hours specified during the month of Ramadan. This is applicable to companies based on their interests and the nature of their work.