Morocco Declares March 2 Start Date for Ramadan 2025, Creating…

Morocco’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs has declared that Ramadan 2025 will commence on Sunday, March 2, after the crescent moon was not sighted. This aligns the start date with the UK, leading to a split Ramadan, as some organizations may follow Saudi Arabia’s March 1 date.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Morocco has officially announced the start date for Ramadan 2025, revealing that the crescent moon was not sighted. Consequently, the month of Shaban will extend to a full 30 days, making the first day of Ramadan Sunday, March 2, 2025. This decision markedly contrasts with the astronomical predictions that suggested telescopes were required to observe the moon, as Moroccan officials exclusively rely on naked-eye observations.

This declaration affects the start date of Ramadan in the United Kingdom, indicating that British Muslims will also observe Ramadan beginning on March 2. In the UK, a lack of moon sightings necessitated verification with Morocco, the nearest Islamic neighbor, confirming the start date. Thus, Morocco’s negative moonsighting serves as a definitive endorsement for this date.

As it stands, Morocco and the UK are unique in their delayed commencement of Ramadan by one day compared to other nations. Notably, certain organizations and mosques within the UK adhere to the Saudi Arabian announcement, which set the Ramadan start date for March 1. This divergence will lead to a “split Ramadan” situation widely and specifically in the UK, where some Muslims will fast beginning on Saturday and others on Sunday.

The announcement by Morocco’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs sets the start of Ramadan 2025 on March 2, aligning with the UK, while creating a division with nations, such as Saudi Arabia, that will observe Ramadan from March 1. This split emphasizes the varying traditions and practices across different Islamic communities, shaping the upcoming month of fasting and reflection.

Original Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk