
Saudi Arabia has officially announced that Saturday, March 1, 2025, will mark the first day of Ramadan 1446H. This decision follows the successful sighting of the Ramadan crescent at the Tamir and Hotat Sudair observatories, as confirmed by the Saudi Press Agency.
Earlier in the evening, thick clouds initially obscured the sky at the Tamir Observatory, but the weather conditions improved, allowing for a successful sighting of the crescent moon. One observer in Tamir mentioned that intermittent clouds gradually cleared, making the sighting possible.
The Supreme Court had earlier urged the public to observe the Ramadan crescent on Friday, February 28, corresponding to the 29th of Sha’ban. Those who spotted it, whether with the naked eye or telescopes, were asked to report their observations to the nearest court or observation center.
In addition, the UAE-based International Astronomy Center confirmed that the crescent moon was visible through telescopes in parts of West Asia, Africa, and southern Europe, and could even be seen with the naked eye in much of the Americas. Given the crescent’s visibility across various regions, most countries are expected to follow Saudi Arabia’s lead and declare Saturday, March 1, as the first day of Ramadan.