The Saudi Royal Court announced on Friday evening that the Supreme Court has officially declared Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446H.
The decision follows the successful sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon at the Tamir and Hotat Sudair observatories, confirming the start of the holy month.
Earlier reports from local media indicated that cloud cover initially obscured the sky at the Tamir Observatory, but conditions later cleared, allowing observers to spot the crescent moon.
An observer in Tamir noted that atmospheric conditions gradually improved, with intermittent clouds giving way to clearer skies, aiding the successful sighting.
The Saudi Supreme Court had earlier urged the public to look for the Ramadan crescent on the evening of Friday, February 28, corresponding to the 29th of Sha’ban, encouraging anyone who sighted it — either with the naked eye or using telescopes — to report their findings to the nearest court or observation center.
In a related development, the International Astronomy Center, based in the UAE, confirmed that the crescent was visible through telescopes across parts of West Asia, much of Africa, and southern Europe, and could be seen with the naked eye in several regions across the Americas.
Given the widespread visibility of the crescent, many Islamic countries are expected to follow Saudi Arabia’s lead and announce Saturday, March 1, as the first day of Ramadan.