Fri Feb 28 02:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Ramadan’s Start Date Varies Across the Globe, Due to Lunar Observation and Diverse Traditions
**Atlanta, GA (CNN) –** Millions of Muslims worldwide are preparing to observe Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, which begins this weekend. However, the exact start date is not uniform globally, leading to variations even within the same city.
The commencement of Ramadan hinges on the sighting of the new crescent moon, marking the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This observation, however, is not standardized. While Saudi Arabia anticipates Ramadan’s start on March 1st, Indonesia expects it to begin on March 2nd, highlighting geographical and methodological differences.
Professor Scott Kugle of Emory University explains this variance is due to a complex interplay of factors. These include astronomical sightings (visual or calculated), differing interpretations of lunar visibility among diverse Muslim communities, and even local weather conditions. Crucially, there’s no central authority dictating the start date, making it highly localized and dependent on individual mosques and community traditions. This decentralization leads to anticipation and uncertainty in the week leading up to Ramadan, as Muslims await their local announcement.
The Islamic calendar, unlike the Gregorian calendar, follows the lunar cycle. Ramadan’s start is determined by the appearance of the waxing crescent moon after sunset. While the moon sighting itself unites Muslims globally, interpretations of its visibility—whether through visual observation or astronomical calculation—differ significantly. The existence of various schools of thought within Islam (such as Sunni and Shia) further contributes to varied start dates. Even local pride or family traditions based on ancestral origins influence the observance.
The Earth’s diverse time zones and varied weather patterns also affect the visibility of the crescent moon, further contributing to the discrepancies. This results in Ramadan appearing to shift backward on the Gregorian calendar by 10 to 12 days each year, completing a full cycle over 33 years. While latitude doesn’t directly influence the start date, it significantly impacts the length of the daily fast, with those closer to the poles experiencing more extreme daylight variations.
Despite these variations, Professor Kugle emphasizes the unifying spirit of Ramadan, highlighting shared traditions, special foods, and the collective experience of breaking the fast. He describes the month as a time of introspection and community, significantly altering daily routines and prompting reflection.
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