Ramadhan likely to begin on March 1 in Oman

While the first day of Ramadhan is most likely to fall on Saturday (March 1), in the Sultanate of Oman, Eid al Fitr is expected to fall on March 31, according to astronomical data.

Abdulwahab al Busaidy, head of the observatory at Oman Astronomical Society, told the Observer that the first day of Ramadhan, in all likelihood, would fall on Saturday (March 1), because the moon will be on the horizon for around half an hour on the evening of Friday (February 28).

"On Friday evening, the 29th of Shaaban, 1446 or February 28, 2025, the sun will set at 6:09 pm and the moon will set at 6:40 pm. The moon will be on the horizon for around half an hour, give or take, depending on your location. The moon will be above the horizon around seven degrees, with an illumination of 0.5 per cent. Therefore, regardless of your location, we will be able to see the moon on Friday, February 28," Al Busaidy said.

He said that almost all countries around the world will begin fasting for Ramadhan on March 1, 2025. "The first day of Ramadhan is expected to start on Saturday, March 1 for almost all countries," he said.

Regarding Eid al Fitr, on Sunday, Al Busaidy said the 29th of Ramadhan, which is equivalent to March 29, the sun will set at 6:21 pm and the moon will set at 6:26 pm.

"The moon will be on the horizon for only five minutes, depending on your location. It will be above the horizon only two degrees, with an illumination of 0.04 per cent," he said.

"So, in countries like Oman, where we rely on moon sighting, it will be nearly impossible to see the moon on March 29. Therefore, we will complete 30 days of Ramadhan and the first day of Eid will be on Monday, March 31," he added.

For countries that rely solely on the birth of a new moon, Al Busaidy said they will fast only 29 days and their first day of Eid al Fitr will be on March 30.