When Does Ramadan Begin In Bahrain?

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is a time when Muslims across the world abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. In 2023, the month of Ramadan in Bahrain began on March 23 and ended on April 20 or 21 with Eid Al Fitr. The date of the start of Ramadan is based on the sighting of the crescent moon in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In 2023, Ramadan in Bahrain began on March 23

The start of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon in the evening sky. The exact date of the month's beginning is traditionally determined by religious scholars/authorities as they seek to observe certain sightings related to the appearance and cycle of the moon. The arrival of Ramadan is associated with a certain amount of mystique and contemplation.

In 2023, the crescent moon was not spotted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, so observers were asked to report any sighting of the new moon to the nearest court. As a result, the committees of several Arab countries, including Bahrain, declared Wednesday as the last day of Shaban, the month preceding Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan is considered the holiest and most sacred month of the Islamic Hijri (lunar) calendar. During this month, Muslims are required to elevate their level of spiritual and physical submission to God by fasting from dawn until sunset. This includes abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and husband-wife intimacy.

The start date was announced by the moonsighting committee

The start of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the Waxing Crescent Moon in the evening sky. The exact date of the month's beginning is usually determined by religious scholars and authorities who observe the appearance and cycle of the moon. Each country has its own moon-sighting committee, and the Muslim world often looks to Saudi Arabia to determine the start of Ramadan and other religious holidays.

In 2023, the moon-sighting committees in Saudi Arabia and the UAE declared that the crescent moon was not spotted, making Wednesday the last day of Shaban—the month preceding Ramadan. As a result, several Arab countries, including Bahrain, aligned with Saudi Arabia's moon-sighting committee and announced that Ramadan would start on March 23, 2023.

For 2025, Ramadan in Bahrain is expected to begin at sundown on Friday, February 28, 2025, and is likely to end on Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, lasting for approximately 30 days. The observation of the moon for Ramadan 2025 is likely to occur on the 29th day of Shaban 1445 AH, which is expected to be on February 28, 2025.

The date of moon sighting for Ramadan can differ from country to country, as the commencement of the month of Shaban does not synchronize globally. The start date for Ramadan in Bahrain is announced by the moon-sighting committee, allowing the people of Bahrain to prepare for this sacred month and rejoice in the blessings of Ramadan, which is characterised by feelings of kinship, charity, and spirituality.

The crescent moon could not be sighted on March 21

The inability to sight the crescent moon on March 21 means that the start of Ramadan in Bahrain will be postponed. This delay is not uncommon, as the sighting of the moon can vary from country to country. Each country has its own moon-sighting committee, and the inability to spot the new moon by these committees results in a postponement of the declaration of the start of Ramadan.

The sighting of the crescent moon holds significant importance in the Islamic faith, as it signifies the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims around the world engage in prayer, fasting, charity, and religious devotion. The month is considered a time to practice self-restraint and cleanse the body and soul from impurities, refocusing on the worship of God.

The delay in sighting the crescent moon on March 21 will impact the scheduling of Ramadan-related traditions and observances in Bahrain. These include the nightly Iftar and Suhour banquets, where Muslims gather to break their fast together, and the additional prayers and lectures held in mosques during this sacred month.

The inability to sight the crescent moon on March 21 highlights the importance of moon-sighting committees and their role in determining the start of Ramadan. It also underscores the mystique and contemplation associated with the arrival of this holy month, as Muslims in Bahrain and around the world await the start of their spiritual and devotional journey.

The month of Sha'aban ended on March 22

The month of Shaaban ended on March 22, 2023, with the crescent moon remaining elusive to moon-sighting committees in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The end of Shaaban, the month preceding Ramadan, was therefore declared for the following day, March 23, with the start of the holy month of Ramadan falling on the same date.

The date of the start of Ramadan differs from country to country, as the commencement of Shaaban does not synchronize globally. The Muslim world typically looks to Saudi Arabia to determine the start of Ramadan and other religious holidays, although each country has its own moon-sighting committee.

In 2023, the holy month was expected to last 29 days, with the first day of Eid Al Fitr falling on April 21. The end of Shaaban was predicted by astronomical calculations, which also forecasted the duration of Ramadan.

The arrival of Ramadan is always associated with a certain amount of mystique and contemplation. The exact date of the month's beginning is traditionally determined by religious scholars and authorities under the cover of night as they observe certain sightings related to the appearance and cycle of the moon.

In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin at sundown on February 28 and end on March 30 or 31.

The holy month continued through April

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic Hijri (lunar) calendar. During this month, Muslims believe that the archangel Gabriel revealed the Message to the Prophet Muhammad. It is a time for Muslims to elevate their level of spiritual and physical submission to God through prayer, fasting, giving to charity, and religious devotion.

In 2023, the holy month of Ramadan began on March 23 and continued through April. The Muslim world typically looks to Saudi Arabia to determine the start of Ramadan, though each country has its own moon-sighting committee. The start of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the Waxing Crescent Moon in the evening sky. In 2023, the crescent moon was not spotted in Saudi Arabia until March 22, marking the end of Shaban, the month preceding Ramadan.

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and intimacy between husband and wife from dawn until sunset. The daily fast is broken with Iftar, the evening meal, which is often done as a community. Traditionally, a date is the first thing consumed when breaking the fast. After Iftar, people gather for additional prayers called taraweeh, read the Holy Qur'an, and attend Ramadan lectures and sermons.

In Bahrain, Ramadan is a time to experience local traditions and broaden one's understanding of Islamic culture. Hotels host nightly Iftar and Suhour banquets, featuring traditional dishes such as Harees, stuffed dates, and laban. The markets are crowded with people preparing their food a week in advance, and the masjids offer free Iftar meals to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The holy month of Ramadan concluded with the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of the 29 or 30 days of fasting. The first day of Eid starts with early morning Eid prayers, where Muslims gather and exchange greetings and wishes of "Eid Mubarak". It is a day of unity for Muslims around the world.

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