KUWAIT CITY, Feb 28: Several countries have officially declared the start of the holy month of Ramadan, with variations based on crescent moon sightings and lunar calculations.

Malaysia announced on Friday that Ramadan will begin on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Similarly, Pakistan, Brunei and the Philippines confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted, and fasting will commence on March 2 in both nations. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos stated that despite the absence of a moon sighting, the official start date for Ramadan remains Sunday, March 2.

Meanwhile, Australia has declared that Friday, February 28, marks the last day of Sha'ban, and Saturday, March 1, will be the first day of Ramadan. The announcement was made by Grand Mufti Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamad in coordination with the Australian Fatwa Council, the Federal Council of Imams, and the Council of Fatwa and Sharia Arbitration. Due to its geographical location and time zone, Australia is often among the first nations to confirm the start of Ramadan based on lunar calculations. 
The Ruyat Hilal Committee Japan announced on Friday that the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH will be on Sunday, March 2, as the crescent moon was not sighted in Japan on February 28.

The first day of the holy month of Ramadan 2025 is set to fall on Saturday, March 1, in Indonesia, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, known locally as Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia (kemenag). 

Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Syria have declared that Saturday, March 1, will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

With the arrival of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide prepare for a month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection, aligning their observances with local moon sighting reports and official declarations.