Morocco’s Announcement Marks Start of Ramadan 2025 as Dates Diverge Globally
The Moroccan Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced Ramadan 2025 will start on March 2, following the non-sighting of the crescent moon. This decision aligns with the UK, which will also observe Ramadan on this date, although other communities in the UK may follow Saudi Arabia’s earlier start on March 1, creating a “split Ramadan” across different regions.
The Moroccan Ministry of Islamic Affairs has officially declared that the start of Ramadan 2025 will occur on Sunday, March 2. This announcement follows the non-sighting of the crescent moon, resulting in Shaban continuing for an additional day. Unlike other countries that may rely on astronomical tools, Moroccan officials depend solely on traditional naked-eye observations for moon sighting decisions.
Due to the absence of the crescent moon in the United Kingdom as well, Ramadan’s start date aligns with Morocco’s declaration for March 2. Consequently, when such an occurrence is noted, British Muslims often look to Morocco’s sighting as a reference. Thus, reports confirm that both the UK and Morocco will observe Ramadan beginning on the same day, making them the only nations with this unified timeline so far.
It is pertinent to mention that some organizations and mosques in the UK adhere to guidelines set by Saudi Arabia, which has already announced a March 1 commencement for Ramadan. This discrepancy will result in a “split Ramadan” phenomenon, leading to differing start dates within the UK, where some will commence fasting on Saturday, March 1, while others begin their fast on Sunday, March 2.
In summary, the Moroccan announcement of Ramadan beginning on March 2 underscores the reliance on traditional methods of moon observation. The UK’s alignment with this date further highlights the potential for a divided observance of Ramadan due to varying practices among Muslim communities. Consequently, Muslims in different regions may commence their fasts on separate dates, illustrating the diversity within the Muslim world regarding the observance of this holy month.
Original Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk
