SAUDI Arabia announced on Friday that the holy month of Ramadan will begin on Saturday, March 1, following the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon in the Kingdom.
The month of Ramadan is the ninth of the 12 months of the Islamic calendar.
Also, countries including Qatar, Oman officially announced that Ramadan would be observed on Saturday, March 1.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Muslims are set to begin the Ramadan fast tomorrow if the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs and leader of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, announces the sighting of the crescent moon this evening.
In Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and grandeur hence, the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina witness millions of worshippers at this time of the year. Families gather for traditional Saudi dishes like samboosas and qahwa or Arabic coffee and businesses adjust working hours to accommodate fasting.
As Ramadan 2025 approaches, Saudi Arabia is implementing special working hour adjustments to support those observing the holy month. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has officially announced revised schedules for both the public and private sectors, ensuring that employees can balance their religious, personal and professional commitments during this sacred time.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, making it essential for workplaces to accommodate the changes in daily routines. In keeping with this, the public sector will follow reduced working hours, while private sector employees will also benefit from modified schedules as per the latest directives.
However, the banking sector is expected to follow its usual reduced-hour schedule, ensuring that essential financial services remain available while allowing employees to observe the spiritual and physical aspects of fasting.
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, prayer and community hence, by adjusting work hours, Saudi Arabia aims to support employees in maintaining their productivity while fulfilling religious obligations. These measures allow individuals to focus on fasting, daily prayers and family gatherings, creating a harmonious balance between professional and personal life.
Employers are encouraged to comply with official directives while ensuring smooth business operations and many companies also introduce flexible work arrangements, remote work options and wellness initiatives to support their workforce during this period. The adjustments reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing employee well-being while upholding the significance of Ramadan.
