With Ramadan just around the corner, many are preparing for the month-long period of fasting, prayer, and reflection. If you observed Ramadan last year, you might notice something different in 2025—the fasting hours will be shorter.
This change is due to the Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, which follows the lunar cycle. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which has a fixed number of days, the lunar calendar is about 10 to 12 days shorter each year. As a result, Ramadan moves earlier in the year annually.
In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1. Because of this shift, fasting hours will be slightly reduced compared to last year. This is because daylight hours are longer in the middle of the year, and as Ramadan moves closer to winter in the coming years, fasting durations will continue to shorten.
While we know that fasting will be shorter in 2025, the exact iftar timings will only be confirmed closer to the start of the holy month.
