Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, President of the Markazi Chand Committee and Shahi Imam of Lucknow, declared on Friday that the moon for the holy month of Ramadan was not sighted today, 29th Shaban 1446 AH, corresponding to 28th February 2025.
The committee announced that the first day of Ramadan will be observed on 2nd March 2025 in India.
The ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan, carries profound importance for Muslims globally. This holy time is dedicated to fasting, devotional prayers, inner contemplation, and strengthening communal ties. Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and other physical necessities from sunrise to sunset during this period as an expression of their faith and submission to Allah.
Ramadan holds the most exalted status in Islam as it commemorates the initial revelation of the Quran—Islam's sacred text—to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Allah. As one of Islam's Five Pillars, observing Ramadan represents an essential religious obligation for all Muslim adults, with exceptions granted for those with health conditions, travelers, or others with legitimate exemptions.
According to reports, this year, the UAE Council for Fatwa has announced that 'drone aircraft' equipped with AI technology would be deployed for sighting the crescent moon.
In the Philippines, the first day of Ramadan will be observed on Sunday, March 2.
Every year, the first day of Ramadan comes 10 days earlier than the previous year's date due to the Islamic lunar calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar.
