Ramadan 2023: Here’s when the crescent moon will be seen in India, Saudi Arabia and in other countries. Read all details here

Muslims all over the world are getting ready for Ramadan or Ramzan/Ramzaan/Ramazan. This is the Holy Month of Blessing when the Quran was given to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and one of the five pillars of Islam is to fast for a month during Ramzan.

In 2023, it could start on March 22 if the crescent moon is seen in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Muslim-majority countries on March 21, which is the 29th day of Sha'ban 1444 Hijri. If the Ramadan crescent can't be seen on March 21 after Salat al Maghrib, the moon sighting committee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will say on Tuesday night that the first day of Ramadan may be on March 23, Thursday.

Most likely, the moon of Ramadan will be seen on March 22 in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan, South Africa, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This means that their first day of fasting during Ramadan will be March 23. If the moon is not seen, the first day of fasting will start in India and other South Asian countries on March 24.


During this month of forgiveness, many people use Ramadan as a turning point in their lives. They break free from the lies of this world, break bad habits instead of putting them on hold, pray, heal, give to charity, sleep less and pray more, and enjoy the sweetness of imaan.

The Crescent Moon Watch, which is run by the United Kingdom's Nautical Almanac Office, says that the first sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon in 2023 will be on March 21 at 17:23 GMT, which is 8:23pm Mecca time. On the night of March 22, the Ramadan crescent moon should be easy to see with the naked eye in many parts of the Middle East, North Africa, Western Europe, and the United States. So, the first day for these countries to fast is likely to be March 23.

FAQs

Q1: What are the dates for Ramadan in 2023?
Ramadan is expected to start in the U.S. on March 22 and last until April 21, when the holiday Eid al-Fitr will be held. The day changes every year because it is based on the lunar cycle in the Islamic calendar.

Q2: In which year will there be two Ramadan?
2030, 2063