In a rare astronomical event, the first day of Ramadan in 2025 will coincide with March 1. This alignment between the Hijri and Gregorian calendars is a moment of exceptional precision, as the Hijri year follows the lunar cycle while the Gregorian calendar is based on the solar cycle.
The alignment in 2025, where Ramadan begins on the same day as March 1, is a rare occurrence, happening only once every 33 years. This alignment, while unusual, highlights the precision of both the lunar and solar cycles, reflecting the remarkable harmony in the movement of the moon and the Earth.
Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, explained that the Hijri calendar is about 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar each year. Because of this, Hijri months shift by these days every year, meaning Ramadan moves through different seasons every 33 years.
Abu Zahra said such synchronization is a reminder of the flexibility of time and the changes that come with it. It also serves to remind us of the interconnectedness of the different calendar systems that guide our understanding of time. As Ramadan continues to shift each year, this 2025 alignment will offer a special moment for reflection on the passage of time and its celestial rhythms.
For many, this unusual coincidence is not just a chance to mark the start of Ramadan, but a reminder of the amazing ways in which our world moves.
