Only one month remains before Ramadan 2025 begins in the UAE. Astronomical calculations confirm that the holy month will start on Saturday, March 1, 2025, making this year's Ramadan season one of the most anticipated in recent memory — particularly because it falls in winter for the first time in 24 years.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan Confirms the Expected Start Date
Prominent UAE astronomer Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the board of the Emirates Astronomy Society, has identified February 28, 2025 as the date on which the crescent moon of Ramadan is expected to be born. That sighting will serve as the official trigger for the holy month's start, with March 1 set as the first day of fasting.
Muslims worldwide look forward to sighting the new moon because its appearance signals Ramadan's official beginning in the Islamic calendar. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar carries deep religious significance for believers around the globe, marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, intensified prayer, charitable giving, and spiritual reflection.
A Winter Ramadan — First Time in 24 Years
Ramadan 2025 carries a special distinction: it occurs during winter, a cycle that has not aligned for 24 years. The cooler temperatures mean shorter daylight hours, with fasting expected to last approximately 13 hours daily — significantly less than summer Ramadan observances, which can stretch to 16 hours or more in the UAE.
This seasonal shift makes the 2025 observance more manageable for many fasting Muslims and adds to the spiritual anticipation surrounding the holy month.
UAE Ramadan Working Hours
When Ramadan begins, adjusted working-hour rules take effect across both the public and private sectors in the UAE.
- Public sector employees will work from 9am to 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 12pm on Fridays. - Private sector employees will see their workday reduced by two hours daily, in line with Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) guidelines. Employers may also offer flexible or remote work arrangements within those daily limits.
Non-Muslim employees are equally entitled to reduced hours without any salary deduction, as confirmed under UAE labour law.
Sha'ban Begins — The Countdown Is On
The observation of Sha'ban's crescent moon on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 marked the start of the sacred month of Sha'ban on Friday, January 31. Sha'ban is the month that directly precedes Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, meaning the countdown to the holy month is now officially underway.
As the occasion draws nearer, Muslims across the UAE and the wider region are showing growing enthusiasm for the communal prayers, iftar gatherings, and spiritual renewal that define Ramadan each year.
