Crescent moon sighted in UAE; Holy Month to begin on March 1

The Presidential Court announced that Saturday, the 1st of March 2025, will be the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan in the UAE.

In a statement, The Presidential Court announced that based on the decision of the Moon Sighting Committee for the month of Ramadan, issued by the UAE Council for Fatwa for the year 1446 AH, which convened in Abu Dhabi Friday evening (29th of Sha’ban 1446 AH), corresponding to 28th February 2025, it confirms sighting of the crescent moon of the month of Ramadan. Accordingly, Saturday, 1st March 2025, will be the first day of the holy month in the country. 

”On this blessed occasion, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, as well as to Their Highnesses, the Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Their Highnesses the Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers, the people of the UAE, and the entire world.”

”We pray to Allah Almighty to bless our beloved nation with prosperity, blessings, goodness, and joy. All praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,” read the statement. 

This announcement was made subsequent to the resolution of the Ramadan Crescent Sighting Committee, an eminent body within the purview of the UAE Council for Fatwa, which was convened on Friday evening at the Al Hosn site in the capital city of Abu Dhabi.

The aforementioned Committee’s resolution, which was issued on 29 Sha’ban 1446 AH, corresponds to Feb.28, 2025, and thus formally confirms the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the commencement of the Holy Month of Ramadan in the UAE.

Earlier during the day, the UAE Fatwa Council is going to sight the Ramadan crescent moon of this year, utilising drones equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

The Council said that this is the first time in the world that the crescent moon be sighted using ‘drones’ equipped with artificial intelligence technologies, in an initiative that reflects the UAE’s leadership in adopting innovative technological solutions.