Ramadan 2025 Moon Sighting Highlights: PM Modi extends wishes as Ramzan begins from March 2 in India

Before the war, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was a festive time of increased worship, social gatherings and cheer for Fatima Al-Absi. Together with her husband, the resident of Jabaliya in Gaza said she used to do Ramadan shopping, visit relatives and head to the mosque for prayers.

But the Israel-Hamas war has shredded many of the familiar and cherished threads of Ramadan as Al-Absi once knew it: her husband and a son-in-law have been killed, her home was damaged and burnt and the mosque she attended during Ramadan destroyed, she said.

“Everything has changed,” she said on Saturday as her family observed the first day of Ramadan. “There’s no husband, no home, no proper food and no proper life.”

For Al-Absi and other Gaza residents, Ramadan started this year under a fragile ceasefire agreement that paused more than 15 months of a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated the Gaza Strip. Compared to last Ramadan, many found relief in the truce — but there's also worry and fear about what’s next and grief over the personal and collective losses, the raw wounds and the numerous scars left behind.

“I’ve lost a lot,” said the 57-year-old grandmother, who’s been reduced to eking out an existence amid the wreckage. “Life is difficult. May God grant us patience and strength," she added.

Though Ramadan is still far from normal, some in the Gaza Strip said that, in some ways, it feels better than last year’s.

As Palestinians in the Gaza Strip prepared for Ramadan, shopping for essential household goods and food, some lamented harsh living conditions and economic hardships, but also said they rely on their faith in God to provide for them.

“I used to help people. ... Today, I can’t help myself,” said Nasser Shoueikh. “My situation, thank God, used to be better and I wasn’t in need for anything. ... We ask God to stand by us."

For observant Muslims the world over, Ramadan is a time for fasting daily from dawn to sunset, increased worship, religious reflection, charity and good deeds. Socially, it often brings families and friends together in festive gatherings around meals to break their fast.

Elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, Fatima Barbakh, from the southern city of Khan Younis, said her Ramadan shopping was limited to the essentials.

“We can’t buy lanterns or decorations like we do every Ramadan,” she said. Back in Jabaliya, Al-Absi bitterly recalled how she used to break her fast with her husband, how much she misses him and how she remembers him when she prays.

“We don't want war,” she said. “We want peace and safety.”

(Reported by AP)

Ramzan, a holy month for Muslims worldwide, is a time for spiritual reflection, devotion, and community. However, the daily fast from dawn to dusk can pose a challenge of dehydration, especially in hot weather. “Dehydration can lead to a host of health problems, ranging from fatigue, headaches and dizziness to constipation,” says Dr Lalitha Palle, founder of Moder/ate. Click here to know his tips on staying hydrated.

As Ramadan begins tomorrow, Delhi's Jama Masjid lit up on the eve of the beginning of the holy month.

(Express Photos by Gajendra Yadav)

In celebration of Ramadan, indianexpress.com has compiled a collection of greetings and greeting cards that individuals can use to convey their best wishes to friends and family.

Here's more, especially curated for you!

According to beliefs and traditions, the holy book of the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad around 1,400 years ago, on ‘Laylat al-Qadr,’ one of the five odd-numbered nights that fall on the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Ramadan is marked by Roza, which is fasting from dawn until sunset during the holy month. The fast starts with sehri, a pre-dawn meal, and ends with iftar, post-sighting the moon.

It’s one of the most sacred months in Islam, symbolising a period of purification, self-discipline, and spiritual growth for the Muslim community worldwide.

After chairing a high-level meeting to review the arrangements made for the holy month of Ramadan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the recent spell of snow and rainfall helped improve the situation, but stressed the need for supply of adequate potable water to house holds, news agency PTI reported.

"By the grace of Allah, the recent rainfall over the past few days has been beneficial in this regard," he added.

The chief minister also directed officials to focus on cleanliness, particularly around mosques and shrines, traffic management, and making security arrangements.

He said both the inspectors general of police in Jammu and Kashmir have addressed the security concerns. To enhance public service delivery, the chief minister directed all Deputy Commissioners to set up fully staffed and operational district control rooms to promptly address grievances, the report highlighted.

"Our collective effort should be to ensure a smooth and hassle-free Ramadan for the people. It is our responsibility to put all necessary arrangements in place," he said, as per the report.

Earlier, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Bidhuri, presented a detailed report on the arrangements in place for the holy month. (PTI)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday directed the Power Department to ensure there are no electricity outages during Sehri and Iftar times in the holy month of Ramadan, news agency PTI reported.

The chief minister chaired a high-level meeting to review the arrangements made for the holy month of Ramadan, which commences on Sunday in India.

"As the holy month of Ramadan begins tomorrow, the people rightfully expect the government to take all necessary measures to ensure they do not face any difficulties during this sacred month," he said.

"People want, and we must strive, to ensure that there are no power outages during Sehri and Iftar time. Any necessary shutdowns should be well-planned and curtailment could be made during the daytime as per a proper schedule.

The maintenance works, wherever required, be also taken up during the day time," the CM instructed, the report quoted.

He directed officials to immediately address system issues or faulty distribution transformers (DTs) to avoid disruptions. (PTI)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday said it is the government's responsibility to provide all facilities to the people, as he spoke about his meeting to review the preparedness for the holy month of Ramadan this year.

"We reviewed every department and directed all to ensure every facility, be it power supply at the time of Sehri and Iftar, water supply, ration supply, sanitation and traffic. It is hoped that the government will take all these steps," he said, news agency PTI reported. (PTI)

Here are 5 tips to boost your wellbeing and energy levels:

1. Plan ahead: Plan your meals and hydration in advance, to stay on top of your nutritional intake.

2. Stay hydrated: Women should aim to drink 2.1 litres of water or fluids (such as coconut water, clear soups, broths or herbal teas) each day. Men should aim for 2.6 litres.

3. Get your nutrients early: Select healthy nutrient-dense food with proteins and fats from lean meats, fish, chickpeas, tofu, nuts and seeds.

4. When you prepare your meals, consider grilling, steaming or air frying instead of deep frying.

5. Keep moving: Include some light exercise into your schedule, to maintain your fitness and muscle mass, and promote sleep.

Wishing you a month filled with peace, joy, and blessings.

May your fasts be accepted and your prayers answered.

May this Ramadan bring you closer to Allah.

Wishing you a Ramadan filled with spiritual growth and reflection.

Gauhar Khan flaunts her traditional best in a sky coloured kurti. Click here to see her entire look and get inspired this Ramadan.

Know all about the holy month of Ramadan which is all set to begin from March 2, 2025.

In a heartwarming pre-Ramadan gesture, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Darjeeling Express, a popular Indian restaurant in London. Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Ramzan greetings at Jahan-e-Khusrau cultural festival in New Delhi's Sunder Nursery. Read more

Ramadan is considered one of the most sacred months in Islam

Mark the festival by sharing wishes with friends and family.

Wish your loved ones with these thoughtful wishes!

Ramzan will begin on Sunday in India as the crescent moon marking the start of the fasting month was not sighted anywhere in the country on Friday. Shahi Imam of Chandni Chowk's Fatehpuri Mosque Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed said Delhi-NCR was cloudy since morning, due to which the moon was not visible here. He said that many places, including Gujarat, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana were contacted, but sighting of the moon was not confirmed from anywhere, reported PTI.

He said therefore it was decided that the first fast will be on March 2, i.e. Sunday. According to the Islamic calendar, a month is of 29 or 30 days. The number of days in the month depends on the sighting of the moon. He said that Saturday is the 30th day of Shaban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Shaban Bukhari said, "Today the moon of Ramzan-ul-Mubarak has not been sighted. Therefore, it is announced that the first fast will be on March 2, 2025."

The holy month of Ramadan will begin on March 1 in UAE after the crescent Moon was spotted.

In celebration of Ramadan, we have compiled a collection of greetings and greeting cards that you can use to convey your best wishes to friends and family.

Fasting during can disrupt blood sugar balance, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, especially for those with diabetes. It's crucial to consult an endocrinologist before fasting, as medication dosages and timing may need adjustments. Regular blood glucose monitoring using SMBG or CGM is essential to prevent complications.

Ramadan shifts about 10 days earlier each year because it follows the Islamic lunar calendar, unlike the solar-based Gregorian calendar. A new month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon, but different Islamic communities use varying methods—fixed lunar calendars, scientific calculations, or actual moon sightings—to determine its start. While exact dates may vary slightly worldwide, they are generally close, as per a report by Time Magazine.

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Fueling your body right during Ramadan is key to staying energised. For suhoor, choose nutrient-dense, fibre-rich foods like whole grains, lean proteins, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and low-fat dairy to sustain energy and regulate blood sugar. Stay hydrated.

At iftar, start with dates and water or milk for an energy boost, followed by a balanced meal with complex carbs, lean proteins, and vegetables. Hydrating options like soups and stews are also beneficial.