First Day of Ramadan in 2025 to Coincide with March 1
Astronomical alignment marks a rare synchronization of the Islamic and Gregorian calendars.
Majed Abu Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, the commencement of Ramadan in 2025 will likely coincide with March 1 in the Gregorian calendar.
This event showcases a significant astronomical phenomenon as the Islamic calendar, based on the lunar cycle, aligns with the solar Gregorian calendar.
The Hijri calendar, which is utilized by Muslims globally, consists of 354 or 355 days, making it approximately 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, which has either 365 or 366 days in a leap year.
As a result, the Islamic months shift in relation to the Gregorian months by about 10 to 12 days each year.
This gradual movement allows the Hijri months, including Ramadan, to cycle through all seasons over a period of about 33 years.
Abu Zahra explained that such precise alignment, as is expected in 2025, occurs when the lunar and solar cycles synchronize.
This phenomenon is considered to reflect the intricate mathematical and astronomical relationships governing the movements of the moon and the Earth.
The alignment noted for Ramadan's first day in 2025 does not happen frequently; however, it reoccurs approximately every 33 years, albeit in different months.
The anticipation of this synchronization underscores the adaptability of time measurement systems, revealing the compatibility between various calendar frameworks based on their respective astronomical foundations.