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Ramadan 2025 in UAE: Shaban likely to start on January 31
If the moon is visible on the last day of Rajab (January 29), then Shaban will start on January 30
- PUBLISHED: Tue 28 Jan 2025, 10:57 AM UPDATED: Wed 29 Jan 2025, 8:14 PM
The Hijri month of Shaban will likely start on Friday, January 31 as per astronomical calculations, the UAE astronomy Centre said on X on Tuesday.
Shaban is the month that precedes the fasting month of Ramadan observed by millions of Muslims around the world.
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On the 29th day of Shaban, Muslim countries will perform moon sightings to determine when will Ramadan start. Ramadan crescent should be visible to the naked eye for authorities to announce the beginning of the holy month.
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While the exact date on which Muslims will start fasting this year depends on geographical locations, it is most likely to begin on March 1.
"Wednesday, January 29, 2025, will correspond to the 29th of Rajab, 1446 AH, in many Muslim countries. On this day, the sighting of the crescent moon for Shaban will be impossible from all regions of the Islamic world due to the moon setting before or at the same time as the sunset," said Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, director of the centre.
"Therefore, these countries will complete the month of Rajab with thirty days, and Friday, January 31, will be the first day of Shaban," he added.
Visible to the naked eye
On Thursday, January 30, the crescent will be visible to the naked eye in all Muslim countries, South Europe, Africa and the US, the centre said.
This means that in countries where Thursday is Rajab 29, January 31 will still be the first day of the fasting month.
These countries include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Morocco, Mauritania, Cameroon, Albania.
Take a look at the following map shared by the Astronomy Centre to show how the crescent will be easily seen on Thursday:
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