By Staff Reporter
Muslims around the world are expected to welcome the holy month of Ramadan on Monday, February 8, 2027, according to astronomical calculations, although the official start will depend on the traditional sighting of the crescent moon by religious authorities.
Astronomers predict that the new crescent moon will be observed on the evening of Sunday, February 7, 2027. If confirmed, Muslims will perform the first Tarawih prayers that night before beginning their first day of fasting on Monday.
Unlike fixed dates on the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan shifts approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year because it follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which is around 354 days long—about 11 days shorter than the solar year. This annual movement allows the holy month to be observed in every season over a cycle of about 33 years.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is regarded as the holiest period in Islam. It commemorates the month in which Muslims believe the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Throughout the month, Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset, refraining from food, drink and smoking. The period is also marked by increased prayer, charity, self-reflection, community service and acts of kindness.
The holy month is expected to last 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. Based on current projections, Eid Al Fitr is expected to begin on Wednesday, March 10, 2027, although the date will also be confirmed through the official moon-sighting process.
With just over six months remaining before the anticipated start of Ramadan, governments and communities across the Muslim world are expected to begin preparations, including mosque arrangements, public service planning and the announcement of official moon-sighting committees.
Although modern astronomical calculations have become highly accurate, the official beginning and end of Ramadan continue to be determined through the centuries-old Islamic tradition of crescent moon sighting, preserving a practice that remains central to the observance of the holy month.
Source: Gulf News
