Moon not sighted in India, Ramadan to begin from March 2

Ramadan in India will begin on March 2, as the crescent moon was not seen today. Hence, the first Roza will be observed on Sunday, according to Delhi’s Jama Masjid Imam.

“On February 28, 2025 (Friday), the moon for Ramadan-ul-Mubarak was not sighted. Therefore, based on the decision made in the meeting of the Central Moon Sighting Committee at Jama Masjid Delhi, the first fast of Ramadan will be on Sunday, March 2, 2025,” a statement issued by Syed Shaban Bukhari, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, New Delhi said.

Earlier, Lucknow’s Shahi Imam, Maulana Khalid Rasheed, announced that the moon has not yet been sighted in India.

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, President of the Markazi Chand Committee and Shahi Imam of Lucknow, declared that the moon for the holy month of Ramadan was not sighted today, 29th Shaban 1446 AH, corresponding to February 28, 2025. Therefore, the first day of Ramadan will be observed on March 2, 2025

The month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. The crescent moon for Ramadan will now appear on Saturday evening, following which the Muslim community in the country will start the fasting from March 2 (Sunday). The dawn-to-dusk fast lasts around 13 hours in India and varies across different parts of the world.

The 29 or 30 days of fasting culminates into Eid-ul-fitr, which is likely to be observed on March 31. Last year, the Ramadan began in India on March 12, while the holy month began from March 11 in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Also Read: Delhi’s Iftar diaries: A culinary journey through Ramadan 2025

Ramadan is a period of fasting, worship, and community gatherings. It was during this month in 610 AD that Prophet Mohammad received the first-ever Quranic revelation, making it the holiest time on the Islamic calendar.