Ramadan, Eid to Appear Twice in One Year

Calendar differences mean Muslims will observe Ramadan and Eid twice within one Gregorian year

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan once every year and celebrate Eid al-Fitr at its conclusion. However, a rare calendar alignment means that both Ramadan and Eid will occur twice within the same Gregorian year, an event that happens only once every few decades.

As Muslims prepare for the coming Ramadan, scholars explain that the phenomenon is caused by the difference between the Islamic lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar. While the Gregorian year has 365 days, or 366 in a leap year, the Islamic year is shorter, lasting about 354 or 355 days.

Because of this difference, Islamic months move 10 to 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar. Over time, this shift accumulates, and after about 32 or 33 years, Ramadan and Eid can fall twice in one Gregorian year.

Experts say this rare occurrence will happen again in 2030, when Ramadan is expected to begin in early January and return again toward the end of December. Astronomical projections suggest the first Ramadan may start around January 5, while the second could begin around December 26.

During that year, Muslims are likely to observe 29 or 30 days of fasting in January, followed by about five or six additional fasts in December, making it a unique year of extended worship, reflection, and spiritual discipline.

A similar situation is expected in 2033, when Eid al-Fitr—the festival marking the end of Ramadan—will also be celebrated twice, once in early January and again in late December.

The last time Ramadan occurred twice in one Gregorian year was 1997, while Eid al-Fitr appeared twice in 2000. Despite scientific calculations, Islamic authorities emphasize that the official start of Ramadan and Eid depends on moon sighting, with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan relying on physical observation, while others use astronomical methods.

Source: Daily Ausaf

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